The Lowry categorised Death Row Diva : The Final Account of
Crimson Skye as Burlesque, something I haven’t experienced before, and actually
something that I still am not sure I really have, as this show seemed to be
much more than a pure Burlesque show.
Crimson Skye is the creation of Heather Malone, she is a glamorous ‘bur-les-cue’
performer from the southern states. We meet Crimson in her cell on death row
and she tells us the story of her life, her loves and her obsessions that has
ultimately lead her to face her final reckoning.
Unapologetic, endearing, and very funny, it is impossible to
dislike Crimson, even as her increasingly gruesome tale unfolds. This was just
a good old Southern gal who didn’t have the best start in life, trying to make
good, it’s just a pity all those obstacles kept getting in her way! She has a
lot of love to give, some of which she would love to share with the audience
given half a chance, a nice line in Patsy Cline songs delivered in her own
inimitable style, an a guest appearance by Ed the Severed Head, her one true
love.
Crimson did a fantastic job engaging with the small and
slightly reserved Lowry audience from the outset, and coped excellently with
the slight technical hitches that cropped up, incorporating them into the
performance rather than letting them put her off her stride. There were a
couple of points where I felt the pace dropped ever so slightly and maybe could
benefit from a little editing, but the pluses far outweighed the negatives.
The elements of
Burlesque were playful and excellently delivered, but, as I mentioned they were really
just a small part of a gruesomely amusing, unique and well written one woman performance. There were some clever surprises built in to the show, and funny references
to recent events. Crimson / Heather was brilliant, she created such an endearingly
wicked character that it was impossible to dislike despite her actions. It must
be quite a feat to deliver an eighty minute solo show, but she held the audience
in the palm of her hand from start to finish. Wickedly enjoyable.
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