Dazzling Divas at the Mill at Sonning is a cabaret style show, illustrating the lives and the journeys of seven iconic stars. Olivier Award Nominee, Issy van Randwyck (known for The Boyfriend, Hey Fever and Blithe Spirit) takes on the roles of Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe, Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Mama Cass, Karen Carpenter, and Dusty Springfield. Throughout the performance, Issy van Randwyck, honors the styles of each singer while telling the audience about their lives, hardships and sings some of their collection.
Issy van Randwyck is a phenomenal singer, her technique and phenomenal vocal prowess shown through while honoring each of the singers. When she sang, the auditorium was bursting with her passion, admiration, and love for each of the stars. However, this energy was missing in between the songs, as many of these stories felt rushed and lacked the emotional connection that the music beautifully portrayed. The lighting too at time served as a distraction. Instead of being used to highlight the most poignant moments it changed seemingly several times per song often taking away from the great vocals.
The Mill at Sonning is an intimate venue and there were attempts at engaging and interacting with the audience, through the band inviting the audience to clap along and asking everyone to join her during the last song. These efforts added a communal aspect, however the real potential for connection lies within the dialogues. There were a few comedic moments, especially in the second act and some moments that fell flat – such as costume changes to change between the characters.
The portrayals of these iconic women reflect the struggles they faced, from battling addiction to succumbing to extreme dieting. Issy van Randwyck does a great job of portraying this, highlighting these icons success despite their individual hardships. However, the primary purpose of the show remains somewhat ambiguous. Is it meant to educate the audience and hope they study more at home or does it focus on celebrating their triumphs amid the pressures of their times?
Regardless, Issy van Randwyck’s captivating vocals are a pleasure to listen to, and if your a fan of these iconic women then you’ll enjoy the homage and perhaps discover more about the individuals behind the fame.