I took a friend along with me to see the show at Bristol, and we arrived at the theatre in good time. Word was already out that Susan would not be appearing (no surprise to me anyway) but there were some very disappointed people around.
Once inside the foyer, we saw that notices had been posted to the effect that Susan would not be performing that evening - the last night, despite the fact that the posters for the show advertised a 'Special Guest Appearance' by Susan.
The set was simple, but effective. The background of the set comprised a block of video screens which was used to good effect for background changes throughout the musical. Various wooden chests that doubled as seats and costume containers were strategically placed in the foreground, with a staircase leading to a door offstage to the right of the stage.
Elaine C. Smith carried the show in my opinion. She was entirely professional and told Susan's story well; a modern-day fairy story. I would have been happy if it had been a little more gritty in parts, but for those members of the audience who were not as familiar as we are about Susan's journey, it probably worked to best advantage. Elaine sang well, and in some ways her voice reminded me of Cleo Laine's. It is very different from Susan's voice of course, but she performed well and was note perfect.
I was not overly impressed with the actors who portrayed Susan's parents. Patrick Boyle was played by a competent baritone who sang with rather a lot of vibrato, and who (IMO) over-enunciated. I found it rather irritating. Perhaps I am being overly critical, but I have decided to post my honest impressions here.
Bridget Boyle bore little or no resemblance to the images we have seen of her. I always got the impression that Susan's Mother had a quick sense of humour and a lively wit; the actress playing her part failed to capture any of that. I feel much more could have been made of the vital role she played in Susan's life.
Many of the songs recorded on Susan's albums appeared in the musical. It was easy to recognise the lead up to them and I am left wondering if, perhaps, those songs were chosen with the musical in mind, or whether the musical was staged to 'fit' the songs!
What I felt did work extremely well were the scenes in which 'John' appeared. How true they were to life, of course, we have no way of knowing, but they were extremely well acted; Susan coming across as rather shy, awkward and rather gauche, and John appearing as a very gentle, decent young man.
The scene in which Susan attended her audition was extremely good and really did appear to capture the essence of what we, as fans, managed to glimpse of that day, through various video clips.
All in all it was an enjoyable evening, but had Susan appeared it would have been altogether different. Her presence would have made the fairy story a reality, but as the song says, 'but there are dreams that cannot be....' and so I can only hope that another opportunity will present itself in the future. I am not holding my breath here....
On my way out of the theatre I did see copies of 'The Gift' for sale in the foyer. I am sure there were some disgruntled members of the audience who had expected to see Susan perform, but I didn't hang around to have that confirmed. People had bought tickets in good faith, expecting to hear Susan sing, only to find out on the day that she would not be appearing.
Am I glad I went? Yes.
Would I make the effort to see it again with no guarantee of seeing Susan sing live? I have to be honest; No.
The cost of attending the musical, including travel and hotel accommodation, dinner, etc., was over £250. This was not a cheap exercise and not one I am in a position to repeat too often without some assurance of seeing Susan perform. It is simply not worth £250 to me, to hear Elaine sing through two hours again, regardless of how well she plays her role.
