REVIEW: LA MAUPIN, Fantastic Garlands, at Lion and Unicorn Theatre 27 Nov – 3 Dec 2022 & 31 Jan - 4 Feb 2023

‘… an eye-watering spectacular of music, fun, gossip, comedy and a rollicking night out’ ★★★★

In Fantastic Garlands Theatre's latest serving of female-led productions, Suzy Catliff and Olivia Thompson bring the life of the scandalous 18th century Mademoiselle Maupin: duellist, opera singer and criminal to the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.

Catliff and Thompson have described their new show as a folk punk play with songs. It is a burst of punk energy certainly. With instrumental talent from an ensemble involving Frida Rodbroe, Katrina Michaels, Megan Armitage, Olivia Thompson and Olivia Warren.  Between the cast, they play violin, accordion, flute, harmonica, guitar, ukulele, and a kazoo. Some may call it an 'actor-muso show' but the company have successfully transcended this and it leans more toward cabaret than musical. 

Our heroine … or anti-heroine depending which end of the sword you're behind … is Mademoiselle Maupin as we join her on her adventures through pre-revolutionary France. The play itself is formed into a series of adventures, episodes in which she rescues her lover from a convent, she joins the opera, she wins duels, she loves men and women. It's a treat for the senses as the actors’ multi-role, sing, play and make imaginative use of their instruments in their character-work. The comedy is particularly elevated by Olivia Thompson in a masterclass of comic timing.

The marriage of punk-inspired original music, with this time and place, is inspired and works brilliantly. Stand out songs for this reviewer include 'Vagabond Girl', 'Cream of the Crop' and an hilarious performance by Olivia Warren of 'Old Fashioned Boy'. Frida Rodbroe as La Maupin steps up to the challenge of the sword-fighting Mademoiselle, but really shines in the more intimate and emotive ballad 'Let Me Be Your Home'.

Designer Robin Soutar, brings a grunge aesthetic to the stage and there's a strong sense of Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette' in the production choices. Suzy Catliff skilfully directs this formidable cast in the round and makes use of the corners and constant state of movement between them all and never drops the energy, even in its more poignant scenes.

Going forward, the ensemble may need to shave the running time for fringe or pub theatre venues down the road. In addition, the last act feels slightly rushed and chaotic for the audience to keep up with, to enjoy.

It was only 'presumed' that she died in a convent, after all ...

All the elements come together to make an eye-watering spectacular of music, fun, gossip, comedy and a rollicking night out.

LA MAUPIN at Lion and Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town

27 Nov – 3 Dec 2022

Written by: Olivia Thompson

Directed by: Suzy Catliff

Design by: Robin Soutar

Movement Consultant: Steve Elias

Produced by: Fantastic Garlands Theatre

Twitter: @FantasticGnds

             @Landutheatre

Reviewed by Emma Godwin