Frankie & Beausy is a sung through show consisting of a mix of well-known and lesser-known songs to narrate the love story between Frankie, played by West End star Frances Ruffelle, (Les Miserables, Chicago, The Wild Party) and Beausy, played by the talented Norman Bowman (Mamma Mia!, Les Miserable, Grease, Cats). When these two performers share the stage their voices harmonise beautifully, adding their own touch to the songs. Additionally, their solo performances mesmerize the audience and delivering powerful and emotive performances.
However, while the song collections is [make the verb agree with the noun] beautifully arranged, the love story it conveys sometimes feels thinly-veiled , resembling more of a concert than a fully-developed narrative. This impression is reinforced by occasional moments where the smiles and glances between the characters appear forced or over-rehearsed. Ironically, some of the most memorable moments of the show occur during genuine interactions with the audience. For instance, an impromptu incident occurs when Norman, forgetting he is wearing a kilt, sits down, promoting Frances and Norman to engage the audience in witty banter, and covering up the mishap. Doing so, they display chemistry that surpasses their characters’ connection.
The show takes full advantage and embraces the ambience and intimacy of the Crazy Coqs cabaret setting. One moment the performers take a glass from an audience member’s table for a toast and a standout moment involves them singing at the bar rather than the conventional stage. These choices create a unique and immersive experience for the viewer. While Frankie & Beausy don’t become my personal favourite, it undeniably showcases the incredible vocal talents of Frances and Norman. It was a pleasure to listen to their exceptional performances, even though their on-stage chemistry didn’t quite match their obvious off-stage rapport.