Review: THELMA AND LOUISE, Young Vic Theatre
Photo credit: Helen Murray
It’s over 30 years since the iconic Thelma and Louise was released. Callie Khouri, the original screenwriter, has joined forces with songwriter Neko Case to bring a new iteration of the well-loved feminist classic to the stage. The tale of connection, growth and hope is a powerful one, but does it lend itself to a musical format?
The writing remains strong and broadly follows the themes of the movie when, on a girls’ trip, the titular best friends’ experience an attack which changes the trajectory of their lives forever. Thelma and Louise go on a journey, in every sense of the word, as female experience, expectation and loyalty are explored and the ‘good girl’ personas are shed.
As expected from two Olivier Award nominees, Amy Lennox and Rachel Tucker deliver stellar performances, portraying an authentic bond and delivering impressive vocals. The pair capture Thelma’s progression from shy to bold, and Louise’s steely determination. They add layer upon layer of nuance to the dialogue, delivering a masterclass in authenticity.
JD (Jordan Luke Gage) makes the absolute most of his limited time on stage, bringing great chemistry and humour alongside Amy Lennox. Trevor Dion Nicholas is likeable as Hal, though his character arc could have been expanded to fully explore the racial inequality, and work-life balance which are briefly referenced.
The movement, dance and bar brawl scenes are effective throughout, with line dancing and a repeated stomp to imitate a heartbeat working really well. The staging is smart, with most of the action set in a large bar, transforming into cafes, diners and hotel rooms along the way, and ultimately, with the help of a few bags of sand, the Grand Canyon.
The songs are mainly integrated into the narrative with a distinct country vibe to them. Whilst sometimes evocative, they unfortunately interrupt the flow, rather than enhance it. Despite many of the lyrics being heartfelt and detailed, they are meandering, not moving the plot forward, and not especially memorable. The perfectly delivered ‘Louise’ towards the end gives a glimpse of the heights the show could achieve with more poignant numbers such as this.
Most of the screen version is set in a car, which the creative team clearly decided would not translate well to the stage, adopting smart alternative ways to show movement and drive, including clever lighting from Natasha Chiver. However, the car remains such an integral part of the narrative, so it is surprising that it is only shown briefly at the start.
With a powerful story, and an absolutely stellar cast, there is much to like about Thelma and Louise, with moments which really deliver a sucker punch of emotion, but despite the best efforts of the book and cast, that emotional momentum is often interrupted by a song which doesn’t always fit.
Remaining as important today as it was the first time around, this exploration of the female experience is a true love letter to friendship, identity and hope. Despite some unevenness in its musical adaptation, this adaptation of Thelma and Louise brings this iconic work to a new generation, celebrating a story of freedom and self-discovery that continues to resonate today.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Cara Brazier
Thelma and Louise plays at London’s Young Vic Theatre until 24 Oct, with further info here.
