Wanted Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow
London’s most wanted musical has come to an end after being caught while on the run for 13 weeks this spring. Hiding at the Arts Theatre in London, this small cast production is based on the real-life tale of two American outlaws however they were folk heroes to some. This anticipated West End premiere features music by Tony nominee Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, an Oscar and Tony. The book is by Emmy Award nominee Ivan Menchell and directed by Nick Winston.
Clyde & Bonnie who?
Born in America in the 1910s, Clyde Chestnut Barrow and Bonnie Elizabeth Parker travelled through the United States with their criminal counterparts where they committed bank robberies as well as petty crimes. They did prefer to rob small stores or rural funeral homes. This all happened during the Great Depression in America and their exploits captured the attention of the American press. To some, they were heroes but to others, they were public enemy number 1. During their time on the run, it is believed that Clyde & Bonnie murdered at least nine police officers and four civilians. Their death warrants were sealed and the couple was ambushed and shot excessively to death while travelling in their car in the state of Louisiana.
Poverty and crime go together and both Clyde and Bonnie were born into poor families. They both were desperate for money and had no limits to which they would achieve it, America was suffering through the great depression with the majority of the country turning towards criminal actions to survive. They left a legacy behind that impacted US laws to this day, they glamorised themselves as well as crime. Clyde and Bonnie changed history. There were disputes about which name should be first, however, don’t you think Bonnie and Clyde have more of a ring to it?
Show information
Unfortunately, the show has now ended and there is no news of it coming back. The show first premiered on Broadway 10 years ago and came to London in January 2022 for one night only where it sold out in under 30 minutes. It was announced that the musical was back on the most wanted list for A limited run during spring 2022. The tickets for this show were a highly anticipated production that sold out.
Final thoughts
The art theatre is small however it works for this production. The costumes, set and props worked well for the limited space they had and all fitted into the era. Frances McCann played Miss Bonnie Parker and she did a phenomenal job in this role. Mr Clyde Barrow played by Jordan Gage did an amazing job also, he did justice to Clyde. In this production, there is a young Bonnie and Clyde as children. I will not name who I watched as they are under the age of 18, but they were both brilliant. They were amazing at acting and singing but young Miss Bonnie Parker was outstanding. This show does contain flashing lights which some viewers may find sensitive, there were posters throughout the theatre however I do think they should have given a brief safety announcement before the production began.
If this show comes back to London or goes on your in the UK, I do highly recommend a visit.
The website for the most wanted musical can be found here
Emmiesummer x
Emmiesummer 
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