Review: Grey Gardens at the Southwark Playhouse

Grey Gardens

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed on Thursday 7th January 2016
★★★★

Adapted from the 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens is an unusual musical which explores the relationship between a mother and daughter - Edith Bouvier Beale and Little Edie - as they spiral down the social ladder and become reclusive outcasts living in horrific conditions (surrounded by cats).

The month ahead: January 2016

Keep an eye on...

Noma Dumezweni

Noma Dumezweni's career is currently soaring from strength to strength. This week she is giving her final performances as the title character in Linda at the Royal Court, a role she took over from Kim Cattrall two weeks before opening night. She is also preparing to make her directorial debut, helming I See You by Mongiwekhaya which begins performances at the Royal Court in February. Later this year she will take on the role of a lifetime, starring as Hermione in J.K. Rowling's play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Dumezweni is certainly one to watch!

Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell

Later this week (7th Jan) the European première of Grey Gardens opens to press at the Southwark Playhouse. Thom Southerland's production stars Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell, both of whom are Olivier Award winning actresses. In 2007 Hancock won Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for playing Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret whilst Russell won Best Actress in a Musical in 2006 for playing Dot in Sunday in the Park with George. There's already talk in theatreland about both stars giving performances to remember; Grey Gardens plays until 6th February 2016.

Shows that should be on your radar...

Production Pics: Grey Gardens starring Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell

Production images have been released for the European première of Grey Gardens. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Starring Olivier Award winning actresses Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell, the musical currently in previews ahead of press night on 7th January 2016. The cast also includes Aaron Sidwell as Joe/Jerry, Billy Boyle as Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Peale, Jeremy Legat as Gould, Ako Mitchell as Brooks Sr and Jr and Rachel Anne Rayham as young Edie. 

PICS: Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell rehearse Grey Gardens

Rehearsal images have been released for the European première of Grey Gardens. The musical stars Olivier Award winning actresses Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell as Edith “Big Edie” Ewing Bouvier Beale and Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge). 

Based on an iconic 1975 documentary, Grey Gardens tells the spectacular real life rise and fall of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s aunt and cousin, Edith and Edie Bouvier Beale. Directed by Thom Southerland, the musical opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 7th January 2016 (previews from 2nd January) for a limited run until 6th February 2016. 

GOSSIP: Could Sheila Hancock & Jenna Russell star in Grey Gardens?

According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell are in early discussions about the possibility of starring in Grey Gardens.

Directed by Thom Southerland, Bamigboye reports that the musical will run at the Southwark Playhouse in early 2016.

Grey Gardens premiered off-Broadway in 2006 before transferring to Broadway and winning three Tony Awards.

Lee Evans and Sheila Hancock to star in Barking In Essex at the Wyndhams Theatre

Clive Exton’s new comedy, Barking In Essex, starring Lee Evans and Sheila Hancock, will premiere at Wyndham’s Theatre on Monday 16th September 2013, following previews from 6th September.