Music Review: Bonnie & Clyde The Musical – Original West End Cast Recording

BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL – Original West End Cast Recording (Broadway Records).

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

With a much more recent history on UK shores than across the pond to date, a West End cast recording of Bonnie & Clyde The Musical has finally been released, following the success of two short runs in the capital, and ahead of a nationwide tour kicking off at Leicester’s Curve Theatre in February 2024.

While many may be familiar with the Broadway version of the soundtrack, and indeed even au fait with the story of the real-life Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, on whom the production is based, sublime casting coupled with Frank Wildhorn’s music and Don Black’s lyrics ensures that the London cast recording stands firmly in its own spotlight.

The setting of the production in 1930s Texas calls for some very definite and prescriptive styling in terms of both music and characters and this authenticity is well captured and shines through every aspect of the score. There are plenty of upbeat moments, peppered with comedy and opportunities for ensemble members to contribute more audibly to the story, and it is easy to imagine how the jovial physicality and choreography of such scenes would play out on stage. Jodie Steele shines as Blanche at the helm of the early light-hearted number ‘You’re Goin’ Back To Jail’ but is contrastingly soft and emotive in the pensive ‘That’s What You Call a Dream’.

Given the ultimately tragic nature of the story, the highlights of this wholly enchanting score are undoubtedly the slower numbers, giving the principal cast members in particular well-deserved chances to display their talent. ‘How ’Bout A Dance?’, Bonnie’s first full solo, is flawless in the hands of Frances Mayli McCann whose crystal clear vocals sound as effortless as ever, even while delivering a Southern Texas drawl. Her duet with Steele in ‘You Love Who You Love’ is equally stunning and elevates even further the exquisite harmonies in Wildhorn’s composition.

Jordan Luke Gage as Clyde and George Maguire as Buck also have notable musical moments befitting of their stage personas, particularly ‘When I Drive’ – a character-typical representation of male bonding between the brothers. Clyde’s ‘Raise a Little Hell’ cements his position as the alpha male gangster-protagonist and has a suitably rebellious rocky feel through both the melody and instrumental accompaniment.

While already an impressive score in itself, the principal cast is what really exalts the West End version of the soundtrack to a league of its own, lending emotional depth and vulnerability to this ill-fated love story.

Sorcha Exworthy

The West End Cast Recording of Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is now available to download. The eagerly-awaited cast album can be purchased is produced by Katy Richardson and Sam Featherstone and released through Broadway Records.

Recorded at Livingston Studios in London, the West End cast recording of Bonnie & Clyde The Musical features: Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie Parker), Jordan Luke Gage (Clyde Barrow), George Maguire (Buck Barrow), Jodie Steele (Blanche Barrow), Cleve September (Ted Hinton), Dom Hartley-Harris (Preacher), and Ensemble Robbie Scotcher, Alexander Evans, Kit Esuruoso, Barney Wilkinson (Alternate Clyde Barrow), Lauren Jones (Alternate Bonnie Parker), Julie Yammanee, Pippa Winslow, Chloe Saunders, Charlie McCullagh, Sydnie Hocknell and Michael Cortez.

The orchestra includes; Nick Barstow (musical director/keys), Honor Halford-Macleod (assistant musical director/keys 2), Kobi Pham (guitar 1), Daniel Vildósola (guitar 2), Annie Blake (bass/double bass), Zach Okonkwo (drums), Kate Ingram (reed 1), Claire McInerney (reed 2) and Clodagh Kennedy (fiddle).

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical has music  by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernell), lyrics  by Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love), and a book by Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical).

Presented by DLAP Group, Bonnie & Clyde The Musical had two seasons in London’s West End at the Arts Theatre and the Garrick Theatre. Opening at Leicester Curve on 22 February 2024, the UK and Ireland tour is currently set to visit 19 cities with more dates to be announced soon.