Dusty the musical captures her very essence
SHE WAS A SOUL STAR WHO CAPTIVATED GENERATIONS WITH HER EXTRAORDINARY TALENTS, WRITES LESLEY OLDFIELD
I JUST Don’t Know What to do With Myself, Dusty Springfield sang in 1964 - and this brief summation of her musical career shows that was her tragedy.
However, she knew just what to do with her music and Katherine Kingsley’s brilliant renditions of her songbook prompted an instant standing ovation at the conclusion her show at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal.
Dusty, born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien, reinvented herself “with wigs and make-up” and left her brothers’ folk group to pursue a solo career inspired by Motown artists.
Early on we see Dusty direct a recording session to achieve the “sound in her head” and transform I Just Don’t Know What to do With Myself into a hit.
Those in the studio struggle to take direction from a woman, and that was just one of Dusty’s battles. She kept her sexuality under wraps for many years and, in true diva fashion, struggled with performing, leaning on those around her, and later turning to drink and drugs.
Dusty, written by Jonathan Harvey, is a jukebox musical that necessarily adopts some broad brush strokes to convey the star’s life, with some clumsy signals to the passing of time - explaining mobile phones, racial divides and political unrest, for example.
The great costumes of Tom Pye and choreography of Tim Jackson, would have been sufficient to mark those passing years. Multiple projections onto the simple box set also help to tell the story.
It’s a sad tale, including real footage of Dusty’s funeral following her untimely death from breast cancer at 59.
But light relief is enjoyed thanks to her loyal and loving retinue - daft wardrobe lady Pat, played beautifully by Esther Coles, and raunchy hair and make-up artist Ruby, played by Ella Kenion. Comedian Rufus Hound clearly loves his roles as her manager Billings and as a cheesy compere too.
Maria Friedman directs a fair few cheesy moments, but also some skilful set pieces. A revolving bed showing Dusty’s descent, and the chorus’s recreation of her hit with the Pet Shop Boys, featuring silver suits and neon frames, were particularly effective.
There are also scenes of heartbreak, thanks to Katherine Kingsley and Joanna Francis as Lois, another lovely voice. Ex-Eastender Roberta Taylor as tough mum Kay was clearly much appreciated. But, as with all jukebox musicals, the music is the thing and here a live band accompanies Kingsley in The Look of Love, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me. But love you we do! Dusty is at the Theatre Royal until tonight. Tickets at theatreroyal. co.uk