Spontaneous Sunday

"Mary, what are you doing today?"

"Not alot. Lots of lovely housework but..."

"I want to do something. LET'S GO TO THE THEATRE!"

"OK. What's on?"

"Don't know."

10 minutes later we were on Lastminute.com.

We ended up going to Opening Night of a new show called Marilyn and Ella.

It is the story of the unlikely friendship between Marilyn Munro and Ella Fitzgerald. Marilyn was played by Susie Kennedy, a popular impersonator, and Ella by Hope Augustus.

It is basically based on two quotes. Fitzgerald saying "she owed her (Marilyn) a debt" and “She was ahead of her time and she didn’t even know it”. It is about how Marilyn managed to get Ella booked at the Mocambo club in Hollywood. The first black artist to sing there. Munro promised the club owner that she would go there every night and sit in the front row if Fitzgerald was allowed to perform.

I really liked it. Bit of a strange set up though.

You had the two actresses, Marilyn and Ella, and then a live jazz quartet on stage. The actresses also sort of played other parts as well by putting on different voices.

It started with Hope Augustus playing a fan of Ella Fitzgerald telling a story about the two friends and then she then she played Ms Fitzgerald as well. The live music and singing was excellent, especially Ella's songs. Pretty awesome arrangement of I've got you under my skin. There was also a man playing Frank Sinatra, he was BRILL. Sounded and looked exactly like the original.

If you are a massive fan of Ella Fitzgerald or Marilyn Munro, then I think you will really enjoy it.

All in all i think i will give it a solid 3 and a half stars.