Frances Ruffelle is a sparkling, shimmering star in the world of Musical Theatre, winning a Tony Award for her Broadway role of Eponine in Les Miserables, with lead performances in Chicago, Lloyd Webber shows, films and TV. As a solo singer she has recorded several albums - her latest CD “Imperfectly Me” is released in September 2010.
As she describes her musical style: “I always loved the jazz standards of the great American Songbook and my idea was to re-interpret these classic songs for a new generation and keep them sexy, melancholy and passionate … all the songs have good lyrics and stories."
The Pleasance Ghillie Dhu venue is a barn of a space within an old gothic Church, with high vaulted ceiling, pillars and decorative wood features. Surrounded by her six piece band, Ms Ruffelle appears out of the shadows in a corset and tight black skirt. She is buxom, brunette with long curls. “Welcome to my party” she shouts wildly, before blasting into a rock version of “Tah Rah Rah BOOM di-Ay.”
She soon strips off (the show is entitled “Beneath the Dress”), to reveal a short silky black slip as the pace and rock rhythm increases, leaving the stage to perch on a ledge at the back of the hall to sing, “I slept with someone who handled Kurt Cobain’s Intervention,” performed with a bold, brash manner.
Thirty minutes into the show, the mood softens and Frances delights the audience with a few fabulous classic numbers, “Show me the way to the next Whisky bar, ” (The Alabama Song by Kurt Weill), which at last offers a glimpse of her Musical theatre talent. She also captures the character of the girl in the bittersweet, “Ten Cents a Dance,” about a dead end job at the Palace.
I work at the Palace ballroom, but gee that palace is cheap
When I get back to my chillly hallroom, I'm much too tired to sleep;
I'm one of those lady teachers, a beautiful hostess you know. ….
Ten cents a dance, pansies and rough guys, tough guys who tear my gown.
Another highlight is the deliciously romantic, “If You Go Away”, (the English version of Jacques Brel’s “Ne Me Quitte Pas”), which illustrates her extraordinary, rich, husky, breathless voice.
The show is in two contrasting halves: first Ruffelle’s alter ego, Frankie Ruff, the rock chick, which is a disappointing performance, unconvincing, overacted and contrived. But wait half an hour and Frances, the superstar singer entertains with a medley of all the favourite, classic ballads. renacting stories behind the emotional lyrics, for which she is renowned as a fine actress. Sexiness can be subtle, sweet and simple, rather than risqué, racy and raunchy.
More interaction with a little chat here and there to introduce some of these songs would create a true Cabaret show.
(N.B. Arrive at the Ghillie Dhu early to find a seat at one of the small round tables at the front for a close up view of the stage. This show was packed out with seating only on uncomfortable, hard benches at refectory tables at the back with poor sight lines.)
Show times
Till 30 August (not Tuesdays), 8.15pm
Ticket prices
£15 (£13.50), £14 (£12.50)