MUSICAL THEATRE
produced by Clovelly Fox and 45downstairs
Book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie.
First produced in 2006; based on the 1975 documentary by Albert and David Maysles.
At fortyfivedownstairs until 2 August 2026
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****1/2 (4.5)
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly, 3MBS, Sat 1 Aug 2026. KH
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Helen Dallimore-image Ben Fon
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It relates the woeful tale that of two, faded and jaded former socialites who were cousins of Jackie Kennedy (née Bouvier): the eccentric and ill-fated Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith Bouvier Beale. They are known as Big Edie and Little Edie.
Wright’s cunningly wrought book depicts the pair in their heyday in
1941, at ages 24 and 47 – a fictional rendering of their lavish lives at that
time – then 32 years later in 1973 when their star has faded, their funds are
depleted, their health is in decline, their friends and family have abandoned
them and they live in abject squalor with dozens of cats, in their formerly
grand, but now dilapidated mansion, Grey Gardens.
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| David Hobson and cast.--image Ben Fon |
The later scenes, action and dialogue are almost fully taken from the 1975 documentary that became a cult hit.
This production, deftly directed by Parke, takes advantage of the quirky, distressed space at fortyfivedownstairs to evoke the decrepitude and despair of both the home and the women.
The entire cast is admirable, but Helen Dallimore is a highlight and brings remarkable versatility, comic and dramatic timing and fine vocal technique and tone to twin roles. In the earlier scenes, she embodies firstly the mother, Big Edie, in her prime, then the daughter, Little Edie, after her mental and physical decline.
Dallimore begins as the wealthy, 1940s socialite who thrives on controlling, embarrassing and demeaning her daughter and treating every social occasion as a personal platform for her mediocre singing. In the second half, set in 1973, she transforms, chameleon-like, into the peculiar, distracted and deluded Little Edie, bursting onto the stage with an hilarious and disquieting rendition of The Revolutionary Costume for Today, with bizarre choreography straight from the real Little Edie in the documentary.
Deidre Rubenstein is compelling and distressing as the older Big Edie fallen on hard times, David Hobson brings his fine voice to her critical father, Major Bouvier, and Meg Williams is sprightly and saucy as young Little Edie.
Frankel’s score evokes the tunes of the 1940s then shifts to a more eclectic style for the 70s. Korie’s lyrics tell the story, cunningly weaving sung snippets into the spoken dialogue to illuminate the characters, elucidate relationships and develop the action.
Pianist, Lyndall Dawson, is the sole instrumentalist on stage but her playing fills the space with music that carries the song and the singers on a wave of sound.
Grey Gardens is not simply a jolly musical. It challenges the audience by disguising a tragedy as a musical. These women are irreparably broken, physically, financially, socially and psychologically. Yet, we laugh with, and at them, then cry for them.
By Kate Herbert
CAST
Helen
Dallimore – Edith Bouvier Beale / Little Edie
Deidre Rubenstein – Big Edie
David Hobson – J.V. “Major” Bouvier / Norman Vincent Peale
Nick Simspon-Deeks – George Gould Strong
Luke Ward – Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. / Jerry
Meg Williams – Little Edie
Evan Evans – Brooks Sr. and Jr.
Adeline Hunter – Jacqueline Kennedy
Eleanor Flynn/Jessica Georgeson – Lee Bouvier
CREATIVES
Director:
Tyran Parke
Musical Director: Lyndall Dawson
Choreographer: Freya List
Set Designer: Claudia Mirabello
Costume Designer: Louisa Fitzgerald
Lighting Designer: Sidney Younger
Sound Designer: Nick Reich
Producers: Tyran Parke for Clovelly Fox and Cameron Lukey for
fortyfivedownstairs
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SONGS Act I
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Act II
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