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Glorious - Theatre Royal Bath
From the archive, first published Friday 14th Oct 2005.
OCTOBER 17 - 22 2005, BATH: MAUREEN LIPMAN stars as the tone-deaf diva Florence Foster Jenkins as Glorious! appears in Bath immediately prior to the West End
This is a hilarious and heart-warming new comedy written by Peter Quilter and is based on the true story of the enthusiastic diva Florence Foster Jenkins.
In 1940's New York, she was the performer who everyone demanded to see live, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Florence had little sense of rhythm, a limited range and was virtually incapable of sustaining a note. What she did have, however, was an unshakeable conviction about her own singing talent, and a large enough inheritance to finance her operatic career and organise charity concerts.
For thirty years, Manhattan's glitterati paid to attend her private recitals during which she performed in an extraordinary feathered costume. In 1944, the singer braved the massive Carnegie Hall in New York for one night only, a concert which was sold out months in advance. It was to be the scene of her greatest triumph.
Maureen Lipman has been a regular face on television and in the theatre for more than thirty years. Her career has included the portrayal of a number of extraordinary characters including comedian Joyce Grenfell in Re-Joyce!, which appeared at the Theatre Royal Bath in 1993, and infamous literary agent Peggy Ramsay in Peggy For You, also at the Theatre Royal Bath in 2000. Numerous successes also include Oklahoma! at the National Theatre.
Her television work includes her series Agony, About Face, All At No. 20 and plays such as The Evacuees and The Knowledge written by her late husband, Jack Rosenthal. Films include Educating Rita and Carry On Columbus.
Maureen Lipman last appeared at the Theatre Royal Bath in Sitting Pretty in October 2001. Her recent theatre appearances include the West End musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.
The cast for Glorious! also includes Barrie Ingham, Josie Kidd, Lolly Susi, Janie Booth and William Oxborrow.
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