Last night Stuart, Jane, Jo, and I went to see the ridiculously entertaining musical Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre in London's glitzy Islington.
With powerhouse central performances by Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells, music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears, and a book by James Graham, how could it fail? Think Book of Mormon. Think Jerry Springer: The Opera. Yes, that good.
We laughed, we clapped, we stamped our feet.
Telling the story of gay-friendly tele-evangelist Tammy Faye and her good-for-nothing husband Jim Bakker, the musical is a joy from start to finish. A divinely delirious glitz-bomb of a joy. The songs are catchy, the lyrics funny, and the story simply outrageous.
The first half is great, but the second half simply explodes in creativity - as the couple’s greed and profligacy – and the sexual misconduct of Bakker and his fellow preachers – is contrasted with Tammy Faye’s genuine empathy, particularly when she embraces a young pastor with AIDS live on air, the songs simply soar. And the laughs come thick and fast.
And Rubert Goold's direction is spot on throughout.
Surely a West End (and Broadway) transfer are a must.
Praise be to Tammy Faye!
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