Presented by: Marie Clark Musical Theatre
Reviewed: 21 June 2025
“Nothin’ rhymes with Clyde and Bonnie.” Except, perhaps, honey – and Marie Clark Musical Theatre’s latest offering, Bonnie & Clyde, is sure one ‘dang’ honey of a production. Kudos to them for presenting their audiences with the South Australian premiere of this little known musical (though ironically the filmed Broadway production has just recently been shown at the Palace Nova Cinemas).
With a book by Ivan Menchell, lyrics by Don Black and music by Frank Wildhorn , Bonnie & Clyde is the story of one of America’s most notorious criminal duos and folk-heroes of the 1930’s, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The show is set against the backdrop of Mid-Western America of the Thirties Great Depression with the music mixing Gospel, Blues, a little Jazz, soft Rock and toe-tapping Broadway Musical styles well.
The show as written is a satisfying combination of emotion, drama and well placed humour. First time Director Lucy Trewin has captured all of these with her succinct direction and handling of each individual scene. Nothing is rushed, overdone or underdone. From the thundering beginning to the beautifully calm ending, juxtaposing and bookending the show well, Trewin deftly handles her cast and the story with panache. Her set design emulates the Mid-West drabness and openness well allowing the actors to have ample space to perform (and there’s a vintage car too – WOW!). Kudos must be given to Rachel Lee for the marvelous fading American flag (appropriate in this day and age, much) that dominates the entire back wall but never distracts.
Serena Cann’s orchestra is stunning with not a note out of place and she has worked the casts’ vocals wonderfully. Although not a dance heavy show, Deborah Joy Proeve has given the cast some great movement and actions that are handled by all with precision. The When I Drive number performed by the Barrow brothers is wonderfully creative and full of high energy, and a potential showstopper. Thanks to Dialect Coach, Jessica Knoblauch, the Mid-Western drawls from all cast are ‘dang-nab-it’ good.
The production is designed for the Ensemble to take on crucial minor roles which they all achieve fairly well. The hair salon scene zings along thanks to Darcie Yelland-Wark, Jasmyn Setchell and Alex Burton; whilst Tom Moore puts Wyatt Earp to shame as Sheriff Schmid; and looking somewhat like Grant Wood’s American Gothic, Merici Thompson and Jamie Wright play Ma and Pa Kettle – oops, I mean Barrow – to a tee.
Rodney Hrvatin raises some serious vocal brimstone as The Preacher. Possibly giving the best performance I have seen this young man do, Zachary Baseby is a very believable Ted Hinton, moving nicely from a lovelorn Deputy to a man who knows his duty. Baseby’s powerful voice works well in the duet You Can Do Better Than Him along side Clyde in Act I. He just needs to relax in his body more.
The show opens with Young Bonnie and Young Clyde and in this production there are two casts of two youngsters each (Parker Cast/Barrow Cast). I reviewed the Barrow cast of Olivia Emmett (Young Bonnie) and Mia Khairul (Young Clyde). Both girls have good strong voices and great presence and both give amazing performances.
Another amazing and standout performance comes from Carolina Fioravanti as Blanche Barrow, Clyde’s sister-in-law. Fioravanti gives us every nuance, emotion and humorous line perfectly. The emotion in her songs You Love Who You Love, a duet with Bonnie in Act I and her solo That’s What You Call A Dream makes the audience feel every word.
David MacGillivray is known for his fine performances and as Clyde’s brother Buck Barrow he certainly does not disappoint. His is a beautifully restrained natural performance that blends well with his other cast members.
Ava-Rose Askew and Kristian Latella as Bonnie and Clyde respectively are a power-house couple who bring true star quality to their roles. They have the unenviable task of making two of history’s anti-heroes and killers palatable and both succeed admirably. There is possibly more emotional change in Askew’s performance but that is mainly because of the writing. Latella gives Clyde a strength that does allow the occasional softer side of his psyche to show through. Both these actors grab your attention from the start and never let go – the act of being true ‘leads’.
Well done all! This is a truly engaging piece of theatre excellently done, and no matter how you may feel about the subject and theme, this is well worth the price of a ticket (please, just don’t rob a bank to pay for it!).
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Photo credit: Daniel Salmond
Venue: Arts Theatre
Season: Until 28 June 2025
Duration: 2hr 30min including a 20 min interval
Tickets: $35 – $40
Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/bonnie-and-clyde/tickets or call 08 8251 3926
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