Review: FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS, Riverside Studios
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
Slotting the right performers into the right roles is a trickier business than it sounds. Shows very often sink or swim as a result of casting, good and bad. Therefore, an enormous amount of credit must be given to Flowers for Mrs Harris’ casting director Jane Deitch for serving up the wonderful Jenna Russell as this musical revival’s leading lady.
Set in post-war London, Ada Harris is a widowed cleaner who doesn’t tell lies, only fibs. With life passing her by, she becomes fixated on the idea of going to Paris to bring home a Christian Dior dress. But while her innate kindness and understated generosity earns her many new friends along the way, Ada’s journey is ultimately one of meaning and self-discovery.
Flowers for Mrs Harris is undoubtedly something of a slow-burn. Running at almost three hours long, Bronagh Lagan’s adaptation of Paul Gallico’s 1958 novel can, at times, frustrate in its pacing. In fact, the entire first act is dedicated to Ada’s determined quest to raise the funds for her trip of a lifetime.
However, this is only worthy of comment because it feels like an uncommon approach to musical theatre in the 21st century. As audiences, we are primed to expect constant drama and plot development but Lagan uses Act One to build the character of Ada and those around her, such as best friend Violet (played by Annie Wensak), Lady Dant (Kelly Price) and Bob (Nathanael Campbell). This choice proves masterful as, by the time Mrs Harris does indeed make it to Paris in the second act, we already have an intimate understanding of her.
Russell’s performance is nothing short of breathtaking as she sweeps the audience up in Ada’s journey. Utterly devastating during imagined conversations with her late husband Albert (Hal Fowler), while displaying razor-sharp wit alongside best friend Violet, Russell’s acting ability shines through. While Richard Taylor’s score is not especially memorable, it does allow frequent reminders of why our leading lady is an Olivier Award winning and Tony nominated actress. Russell is a genuine superstar and completely flawless in her portrayal of Ada.
The supporting cast fit perfectly into this gentle and pure style of storytelling. Most of the company play at least two roles throughout and, with the exception of Russell herself, the emerging star is Charlotte Kennedy, playing Pamela and Natasha. Her soprano vocals soar beautifully in some of the score’s more textured numbers (as one might expect from a former Cosette) while also giving captivating performances of her two wildly contrasting characters.
While Flowers for Mrs Harris doesn’t quite land the knockout blows we have become accustomed to in modern musical theatre, it certainly packs a significant emotional punch. Patience is rewarded as a stellar cast and character-led storytelling makes for compelling viewing as you find yourself willing Ada on at every step of her remarkable journey.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Tom Ambrose
Flowers for Mrs Harris plays at Riverside Studios until 25th November, with further information here.