THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical brings to life the auspicious story of Lesley Hornby, nee Twiggy, from her meager beginnings in Neasden, to becoming fashion’s first ‘it girl’. Elena Skye plays Twiggy, daringly taking on the gamine haired, skinny limbed icon’s north west London accent and contrasts it with her own beautiful, songbird voice.
After a bombastic opening dance scene set to Jefferson Airplane’s ‘Somebody to Love’, with the cast donning Twiggy masks and mini skirts, we were on our way to a fun retro flashback performance. The audience was made up mostly of period people born before 1965 who could remember Twiggy back in the day, however the story has wider appeal. Skye genially breaks the fourth wall addressing the audience as she reflects back on the misogyny of the sixties, noting how we would never stand for that now.
We witness the groovy velvet suited and booted Justin de Villeneuve (Matt Corner) bursting onto the stage, playing out the seminal meeting which changes Twiggy’s life forever. He introduces her to the famous hairdresser Leonard, who gives Twiggy the notorious eight hour, career changing hair style and brings in a magazine editor. Leonard would be mortified if he witnessed the poorly made wigs worn by Elena Skye and some of the other cast. And the beat goes on...
The show needs some work. The narrative focuses heavily on Twiggy’s relationships with men, perhaps a little too much as it overshadowed her enterprising fashion design savvy, Broadway and movie successes, singing career and TV celebrity. The scenes with her troubled marriage to American Michael Witney (Darren Day), a temperamental alcoholic, go on far too long. Abbreviated, the musical could draw in families and tourists, with Twiggy merch - t-shirts, eyelashes and mini skirts – and possibly transfer to a West End theater. Also I was sat in the penultimate row and at times it was difficult to make out words, and this is a 150 seat theater.
Writer and director Ben Elton’s love of Britain comes through with cultural and historical references and attitudes, including the charming musical number, set when Twiggy’s times were hard, ‘Have a cuppa tea’. Elton is also a master-caster selecting talented Aoife Dunne as best friend Cindy who adds great comedic moments.
There are many moments of brilliance but not enough cohesion for you to leave thinking that you have learned the quintessential story of Twiggy.
