UK Theatre Network

Wow. The fastest standing ovation I have ever seen. End of the Rainbow truly deserves to be ‘The Talk of the Town’. In the lead role Tracie Bennett’s performance of Judy Garland was stunning ‘Come rain or come shine’, which is quite fitting to the show which had us both laughing and crying. I passed many tear splashed faces as I left so I knew I was not alone in this!

End of the Rainbow is written by Peter Quilter and has transferred to the West End after a successful Edinburgh run and UK tour. It tells the last few days of Garland’s life as she struggles with debt and a drug and alcohol addiction and numerous failed marriages, a legacy of the gruelling studio life as a childhood star, with her early death on June 22^nd 1969 in Chelsea, London aged just 47 years. A black comedy- musical, highlights include Bennett’s impersonation of a cocker spaniel after ‘over-dosing’ on tablets for mange. Cocking her leg up over her fellow actors Hilton McRae (her MD and accompanist) and her lover Mickey Deans played by Stephen Hagan. She proceeds to pant and roll over, flashing her knickers and had the audience in stitches with her antics.

For Tracie Bennett to take on such an iconic star as Judy Garland is a daunting challenge for the most talented of actors not least because of the plethora of passionate fans watching every movement, inclination and note for its honesty and truthfulness towards the late Judy Garland. Bennett hits every note superbly in this musical following her last desperate days. To play a troubled yet genius talent requires a rawness of emotion and a passionate energy in singing whilst mimicking an idol. A tall order, but Bennett plays Garland so truthfully that we almost forget that we are not watching the great lady herself, sadly a privilege myself and others of my generation will never have.

“End of the Rainbow” runs until 14th April at The Trafalgar Studios and is a must-see not only for Garland fans but for every fan of fantastic theatre.

Tickets priced up to £49.50.

Box Office 0870 060 6632.

Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall, LONDON, SW1A 2DY.