Review: Picture Perfect at the St James Studio

Picture Perfect
St James Studio
Reviewed on Sunday 1st June 2014

Described as a contemporary song-cycle, Picture Perfect is a relatable new musical which explores love and relationships using the songs of American composer Scott Evan Davis. Simon Greiff has nurtured the musical, creating the story which links the beautiful music together.

Interview: Helen Hobson & Charlotte Wakefield - third time lucky!

West End performers Helen Hobson (pictured right) and Charlotte Wakefield are currently preparing to star in Picture Perfect: A New Musical.

The contemporary song-cycle explores love and relationships using the songs of award-winning American composer Scott Evan Davis. Conceived and directed by Simon Greiff, it receives its London premiere at the St James Studio with four performances on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.

Over the past few years Helen and Charlotte have become famous for working together. The pair first worked together when they played mother and daughter – Donna and Sophie – in the West End production of Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre), following stints in the show’s international tour. The pair both left Mamma Mia at the same time and immediately went on to star as Mother Abbess and Maria in The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). The production won rave reviews, sold out and broke records at the Open Air Theatre.

Helen recently appeared in the sold out run of The Kinks’ musical Sunny Afternoon at the Hampstead Theatre. Her theatre credits also include: The Sunny Side of the Street (Jermyn Street), Ma in The Human Comedy (Young Vic), Mrs Johnston in Blood Brothers (Phoenix), Rita in Educating Rita (Palace Theatre, West Cliff), Cathy in Heathcliff (Hammersmith/UK Tour), Grizabella in Cats (UK Tour) and Rose Vibert in Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales).

Charlotte (pictured left) received her second Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Maria in The Sound of Music. She was previously nominated for her performance as Wendla Bergman in Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith/Novello). Charlotte returns to the St James Studio fresh from starring in a successful run of A Spoonful of Sherman.

I recently spoke to Helen and Charlotte about what it’s like to be back working together, why they were attracted to Picture Perfect and what they think about the current state of new writing in London…

What’s it like to be back together, working opposite each other once again?!

[both laugh] Helen Hobson: Really, really brilliant! I saw Charlotte the other night when she came to see my show at the Hampstead Theatre and we whooped with joy in the bar afterwards, it’s very exciting – third time lucky!

Charlotte Wakefield replaces Lucie Jones in Picture Perfect

Charlotte Wakefield has joined the cast of Picture Perfect: A New Musical, replacing the previously announced Lucie Jones.

The contemporary song-cycle explores love and relationships using the songs of award-winning American composer Scott Evan Davis. Conceived and directed by Simon Greiff, it receives its London premiere at the St James Studio with four performances on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.

Jones, who appeared on X Factor in 2009 and has starred in Les Miserables, We Will Rock You and American Psycho, can no longer appear in Picture Perfect due an unforeseen scheduling clash.

Picture Perfect will see Wakefield reunite Helen Hobson. The pair first played mother and daughter in the West End production of Mamma Mia and then Maria and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Wakefield was nominated for an Olivier Award for her West End debut in Spring Awakening.