Willemijn Verkaik, Tamsin Greig and Hadyn Gwynne at the launch of Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, held at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts
Last night saw a frenzied reception for the launch of the UK premiere of new musical comedy Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The Institute of Contemporary Arts was packed to capacity with theatre glitterati and members of the press being serenaded by flamenco guitars, while carefully appointed screens spooled scenes from the original movie.
Based on the popular comedy film that brought Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar to international attention, the musical version has been written by David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane, the composer and librettist behind Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which is currently enjoying a healthy run at the Savoy.
Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is set in Madrid and tells the story of Pepa, an actress and voiceover artist who is struggling in her relationship with the elusive Ivan. The steamy Spanish streets are brought to life through Yazbek’s evocative score, and the humour of the original movie appears safe in Lane’s capable hands.
In an evening hosted by the exuberant Sandi Toksvig, guests were treated to performances by Ricardo Afonso, who plays the Taxi Driver, the narrator of sorts who introduces the theatre world to the passion and beauty of Madrid. Haydn Gwynne, last seen treading the boards in the West End playing Margaret Thatcher in The Audience, reminded us of her rich musical theatre history that includes playing the original Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot in the West End and on Broadway. Gwynne was joined on stage by composer Yazbek for the seductive duet ‘It’s You’, one of the new songs he has added especially for the British premiere.
Talking about the music for the show, Yazbek insists: “It’s definitely a musical for people who don’t like musicals. It’s very much embedded in the music of Spanish-speaking countries, rich with percussion throughout.”
The real coup de theatre, however, is the presence of Tamsin Greig, who will be paying Pepa in the West End production, due to open in January at the Playhouse for a limited run. No stranger to the West End – Greig has appeared in productions of Much Ado About Nothing and The Little Dog Laughed – though this will be the first time the actress has tackled a singing role.
Greig, supported by a band and a lively ensemble, delivered an accomplished rendition of the comic anthem ‘Lovesick’, to the wild approval of the gathered audience. So it seems that she is not only a great comedy actress, but can actually back up her musical theatre casting with a strong vocal technique.
Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown opens at the Playhouse Theatre on 12 January 2015, with previews from 20 December.
Paul Vale
www.WomenOnTheVergeMusical.com
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