Review: THE FUNNY GIRLS, Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Photo credit: Mark Senior

Following on from its limited run at the New Wimbledon Theatre, The Funny Girls - written by Roy Smiles - tells the story of Barbra Streisand (Rosanna Harris) and Joan Rivers (Mia Tomlinson) and how whilst working together, on a small (and somewhat doomed) off-off-off-Broadway play, they encourage each other through a love/hate relationship to became the stars that we know them to be today.

Filled with the obligatory jokes about overbearing Jewish Mothers, Streisand’s nose and closeted homosexual lovers, no stone is left unturned and as an audience, we lap it up!

From the set and costume design by Jean Gray, lighting by Andrew Exeter and sound by Dan Samson, Upstairs at the Gatehouse is the ideal location for this production. It has an intimate atmosphere and with direction by Michael Strassen, Harris and Tomlinson effortlessly recreate these iconic characters complete with mannerisms, facial expressions and impeccable New York accents.

We warm to their characters so much that we forget who they become and just want them to succeed.  It’s an insightful tale of the evolution of their relationship.

It’s witty and has no boundaries. We’re intrigued and most importantly, we are entertained!

***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

The Funny Girls runs Upstairs at the Gatehouse until Sunday 21 November, with tickets available here.