Rayner Hits the Right Note!

Rayner Wilson, Lucinda Toomey, Jeremy Heynes. Photo by Richard Smith Photography.

Glorious! The true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the worst singer in the world. Written by Peter Quilter, directed by James Suckling. At the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, from Wednesday 27 November – Saturday 7 December 2024.

Review by Ashley Hayward.

When I read that I was going to see a play about a woman of whom it was said was ‘the worst singer in the world’, I thought how bizarre it must have been to listen to those that were auditioning for the part!

I’ve no idea what the auditioning process was but there is no doubt that the Director, James Suckling, was absolutely spot on when he cast Rayner Wilson as Florence Foster Jenkins, an eccentric 1940s New York socialite.

Florence loved singing and despite an inability to hold a tune was determined to pursue a career as a soprano and she eventually fulfilled a lifelong ambition as she performed to a packed Carnegie Hall.

Luca Catena, Rayner Wilson, Jeremy Heynes. Photo Richard Smith Photography.

The play began with Florence interviewing a potential new accompanist, Cosme McMoon. He is a very accomplished pianist who quickly realises that his new employer has no musical talent whatsoever! Luca Catena stars as the ever tactful musician who slowly develops a true friendship with his flamboyant pay mistress.

The company of Glorious. Photo by Richard Smith Photography.

Florence has a completely inaccurate opinion of her ability and this is reinforced by her two sycophantic friends, St Clair and Dorothy. St Clair is convincingly portrayed by Jeremy Heynes as a heavy drinking English actor who is currently ‘between jobs’ whilst Rebecca Clarke gives a nice performance as the dog loving Dorothy. They both do justice to some really clever and witty dialogue and demonstrate loyalty and genuine affection for Madam Florence.

Becky Young also impresses as Maria the truculent Mexican maid. All of her lines were delivered in Spanish which nobody understood but her use of body language said it all!

Becky Young, Rayner Wilson. Photo by Richard Smith Photography.

Whilst all of Florence’s friends were happy to go along with her misguided confidence in her ability there was one dissenting voice in the form of Mrs Verrinder-Gedge, very powerfully played by Lucinda Toomey, who tries to disrupt one of the enthusiastic soprano’s performances. There is one delightful encounter as the two women trade insults.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable comedy and Rayner performed the extremely difficult task of performing her songs off key but not in a way which made you want to reach for your ear plugs. The audience found them to be highly amusing much as Florence’s audiences had done about 80 years earlier!

Luca Catena, Rebecca Clarke. Photo by Richard Smith Photography.

With neat scene changes, authentic looking sets, outrageous costumes, simple effects and incidental music from Glenn Miller it was an immensely entertaining production.

Luca Catena, Rayner Wilson. Photo by Richard Smith Photography.

The script is based on a true story and I’m sure there were many people at the time who thought like Mrs Verrinder-Gedge that someone with absolutely no musicality should not have the gall to expect people to pay to listen to them. However, it is worth remembering that, unlike most of us, Florence managed to ‘live the dream’.

NB The performance starts at 7.30 pm. However, when the house opens at 7.15 there is a pre-show projection sequence set in a blown-up copy of The New York Times which is there to be enjoyed.

For tickets please go to: https://lofttheatrecompany.com/