Review: Little Women in Black, Wardrobe Theatre

Following in the fantastically filthy footprints of Drac & Jill, Oedipus in Boots and Reservoir Mogs, The Wardrobe Theatre present their latest hugely entertaining mashup for Christmas.

Like an inebriated Aunty playing charades while pogoing under the fairy lights after one too many mogadons, the company present Little Women in Black; an intergalactic foray into Louisa May Alcott’s ) classic novel Little Women (1868-9) interspersed with the Men in Black film series (1997-present).

We meet the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Amy and the sickly Beth living their conventional life in their 1860s Massachusetts, as they dream of going to balls, getting married and having exciting careers. So far, so normal. Well almost, as Beth is played by the larger than life Tom Fletcher endlessly stabbing away at embroidery while enveloped in an enormous hooped dress.

However, nothing is ever relatively normal for long, and after an overly slow start to proceedings we learn that Meg, played with cool insouciance by Jessikah Wilson, is actually engaged in rooting out malevolent aliens who are living amongst them.

There are 15,000 in the local area alone and after engaging Jo (Tesni Kujore) in her scheme, we learn that the sisters need to SAVE THE WORLD. Planet Patriarchy (who else?) are planning to destroy the Earth and must be stopped.

Photo: Jack Offord

Huge laser cannons, amnesia-inducing neuralyzers, dark black shades and a seemingly never-ending parade of weird and wonderful characters proceed to fill the stage with noise, dry ice and laughter; all the while performed by the four cast members alone.

The highly charged and excited full house is not disappointed as the potty mouthed protectors of the planet pulverize aliens, go on missions to far away galaxies and eventually realise that their two sisters left at home are in imminent danger.

Jenny Smith as the marvellously pneumatic, twerking, wannabe Britney Spears sister Amy is one of those left bored at home, dreaming of pursuing her music career while lumbered with the ailing Beth, who does nothing but look deranged and vomit.

Staying true to the classic novel, she is romanced by Laurie Laurence – again played by Tom Fletcher as a multi goggle-eyed alien with things other than romance on his mind.

Photo: Jack Offord

There are songs aplenty by all the cast and in keeping with the anarchic spirit of The Wardrobe’s Christmas shows they encompass a wide range of styles and, yes, shapes too.

The March sisters occasionally hanker for the simple blissful life of betrothal, baking and bonking. It is definitely not for those who are tender hearted or tender in years.

Director Julia Head does a fabulous job in sequencing action and instilling discipline while the simple design by Ruby Pugh allows for a dizzying array of entrances. There is also clever use of magic, provided by local magician consultant supremo Peter Clifford.

The sound design from Luke Potter, and lighting design from Chris Collier (ably assisted by Jason King), also deserve a mention as pace, excitement and transitions of multiple scene changes are deftly engineered.

The cast work wonders, although the focus is very firmly on the multiple talents of Tom Fletcher. His entirely unrestrained, gigantic enthusiasm is always on display in a masterclass of full-blooded commitment. His final incarnation as the bestial, all-consuming semi-dominatrix is something to behold, while his steadfast resolve to remain in character despite admonishing an audience member with a camera is a tour de force.

These LWIB will be fighting aliens and providing intergalactic gales of giggles throughout the festive period and beyond.

LWIB is at The Wardobe Theatre, 25 West St, Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0DF, at 7.45pm (plus some 2pm matinees) until January 16, 2022. Tickets are available at www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

Main photo: Jack Offord

Read more: Review: Drac & Jill, Wardrobe Theatre

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