Jodie Prenger in TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
TELL ME ON A SUNDAY may be one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lesser-known musicals, yet this one-woman, one-act show still boasts plenty of charm.
Originally conceived for television, TELL ME ON A SUNDAY may be one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lesser-known musicals. Yet this one-woman, one-act show still boasts plenty of charm, as Jodie Prenger beautifully demonstrates in its latest UK tour.
Set in the heady days of the 1980s, TELL ME ON A SUNDAY charts the romantic misadventures of Emma, a young English girl living in New York.
Brimming with optimism, Emma seeks success and love, but as she weaves her way through the maze of the city, and her own anxieties, frustrations, and heartaches, she begins to wonder whether she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places.
Director Paul Foster strips this touring production back to its roots, opting for an intimate staging that focuses on the character and the music.
Jodie Prenger in TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
David Woodhead’s set design is simple yet visually pleasing, with just a few chairs and a coat stand acting as the living quarters of Emma. Behind is a three-dimensional model of New York’s skyline, cleverly lit by Howard Hudson, to create moments of drama. Upstage and almost out of view is a live band.
As a one-woman show, the focus is very much on Jodie Prenger, who delivers a magnetic performance as Emma, the optimistic and naïve woman desperate for love. Her portrayal is vulnerable, tender and believable, and she brings just the right amount of humour and emotion to the songs.
The show is classed as a song circle. With no dialogue, it moves straight from one song to the next, merging seamlessly into the story, which moves forward musically.
Jodie Prenger in TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
All 21 musical numbers are expertly played by the live band of four-strong musicians under the musical supervision of Catherine Jayes.
The chart-topping TAKE THAT LOOK OFF YOUR FACE and TELL ME ON A SUNDAY get the biggest response from the audience, while the comical SHELDON BLOOM and hilariously ironic CAPPED TEETH AND CAESAR SALAD make for some light comic relief.
Yet, outside of the hits, most of the numbers are a little forgetful. While they push the story along, you won’t be humming them as you leave the theatre.
The same can also be said for the story. Anyone who has ever been in love can relate to Emma’s experiences, but for a 60-minute piece, the plot isn’t that strong and gets slightly repetitive after a while.
That said, Prenger’s portrayal more than makes up for these shortfalls, her performance of the title track TELL ME ON A SUNDAY standing out as a highlight, and one which is sure to leave you with a tear in your eye.
The Q&A after the interval in which Prenger and her understudy, Jodie Beth Meyer, answer questions and perform a couple of additional songs also makes for a nice touch.
TELL ME ON SUNDAY runs at The Lowry, Salford, until 23 October 2021.
Donna is the Founder and Editor of Frankly, My Dear UK. By day, she works as a digital marketing specialist, by night she reviews film, theatre and music for a wide range of publications including WhatsonStage and The Reviews Hub. Loves Formula 1, prosecco and life.
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