Play it again
Lynn FreemanRICHARD Huber must have watched a powerful lot of movies from Hollywood’s Golden Years, to write this loving tribute to Hepburn, Grant and the other stars of the time.
It’s a classic love story of the 1930s kind - a headstrong woman willfully goes against her wealthy father’s wishes and pursues a man from outside her class. A writer who dabbles as a waiter, no less. She is obsessed with him, going so far as to hurl his typewriter into a river to get his attention. He of course rejects her advances, which only makes her more determined, before making her experience ‘real life’ by working as a waitress. To tell you more would be criminal, even if you can see where it’s headed.
Huber’s script is filled with the waspish lines Hepburn in particular is remembered for, and the actress is not only referenced by the protagonist Gloria many times, but her mannerisms and way of speaking is pure Katherine. Anya Tate Manning is dazzling and irresistible as she pays tribute to Hepburn while giving us a Gloria who is worth getting to know in her own right. She flounces and pouts but you know there is a woman of substance behind the society woman.
As her love interest Jimmy, Sam Bunkall takes a little while to warm to. But once he gets into his stride, he feels like the perfect match for Gloria/Anya. He has a languid elegance on stage, and with his restrained performance, he offers the perfect foil for his fiery would-be wife.
Patrick Davies’ direction is right on the mark, giving his two actors plenty of room to move, and helping them hit exactly the right note, be it comedy or one of the play’s more reflective moments. The two actors hold the stage for 90 plus minutes and leave you wanting more. Play it again - Gloria, Jimmy, Richard and Patrick.









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