Breakfast at Tiffany’s, adapted from the novel by Truman Capote, is most well known for the iconic film starring Audrey Hepburn, who plays the frivolous country girl turned New York society girl.
Richard Greenberg’s stage adaptation of the novel is a slick and pacy yet intimate production. The play itself sticks closely to the novel, as opposed to the film, yet Pixie Lott still oozes glamour as Holly Golightly, reflecting Audrey Hepburn’s classic interpretation of the role.
Set and costume designer Matthew Wright has magnificently created a stylish set that transitions between scenes smoothly. With the Tiffany blue New York skyline as a constant image throughout the show, he has intricately designed each apartment, bar and restaurant to sit beautifully inside the Tiffany tinted New York. The lighting designer Ben Cracknell expertly uses expressive lighting to shift between the dark rain clouds and thunderstorms to the romantic summer evenings in Manhattan, creating a highly atmospheric production.
Matt Barber plays the role of Fred, who also narrates the play and takes the audience along on his journey as his curiosity over Holly intensifies. Fred is infatuated by Holly and Barber captures this in his passionate yet frantic nature, as the narrator of the play he is suave and effortlessly cool, which is lost during his scenes with Holly as he desperately tries to win her heart. His switch in characterisation is effective as is conveys the impact of Holly’s charm and personality on Fred.
Living in the same apartment block, Pixie Lott plays Holly Golightly, a carefree woman who lives off the wealthy men of New York. Pixie encapsulates the charisma of Holly and her characterisation is remarkable, despite her secretive lifestyle, Pixie creates a loveable character which enhances the heartbreaking scenes in the play.
Described as a play with songs, Pixie sings three songs in the show, merely accompanied by her guitar. Her voice is utterly sensational, she has a country twang and uses raspy tones which give the songs passion and feeling. The music, including Moon River, are highlights of the production. Pixie commands the entire audience with her vocals, you could literally hear a pin drop in the theatre, she is utterly captivating.
As we are narrated through the story of Holly’s life, Fred attempts to control a girl who refuses to be controlled. After her failure to marry millionaire Rusty, Holly moves on to aspiring president of Brazil, Jose. Played by Charlie De Melo, his feisty Brazlillan nature paired with an exceptional accent, creates a humorous character. His relationship with Holly is hot and cold which infuriates Fred, as all he wants is for Holly to settle down and be happy.
The New York City style is conveyed exquisitely by the glamorous costumes, Holly in particular exudes elegance and flair as she saunters around in her oversized sunglasses, long coats and sparkling jewellery. The essence of her character is her ability to appear rich and chic in spite of not being that at all.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a sublime adaptation of the novel, it is a high quality performance that tells the story of the New York City girl we all know and love, in which Pixie Lott performs radiantly.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is on at The Lowry until the Saturday the 16th of April and tickets can be found here.
It then heads over to the Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre from the 18th to the 23rd of April and tickets are available here.
14 comments
Would you be able to tell me if this review was sponsored by the production? Many thanks.
Not sponsored, however I do receive press tickets for all the shows I review. This is an honest review and I really enjoyed the show.
I was very dissapointed with this production. Maybe I went with high expectations! I thought the accents were poor and for the majority of the first half I couldn’t actually understand pixie Lott or follow the plot. The character was overacted although the second half did get slightly better (might have been the prospect of it finishing soon)! The best character was Meg which is also Pixie’s understudy. I suspect she may create a better Holly than pixie however would not waste my money or time watching this again. Sorry pixie. It was hard character to perform but you were out of your depth with this one. I couldn’t fault the singing and this was certainly the highlight of the show.
I absolutely 100% agree with your review. I watched the matinee performance just yesterday at the Lowry and it was dreadful, Pixie Lott had no charm whatsoever, I was actually dreading each moment she came on stage. Quite a few people left at the interval and the remainder ‘endured’ the second half. Poor performance, poor production.
My sister treated me to a trip to see this play at Theatre Royal, Plymouth and I have to agree that it was very disappointing. A number of people sitting behind us left at half time. Two girls a few rows down had turned up with the Audrey Hepburn hairstyle from the film and I guessed they were thinking the play was going to be like the film.
My sister and I were straining to hear the dialogue and we began losing interest because we couldn’t follow the story line. I actually dozed off for a while and felt really guilty because my sister had taken me for my birthday present. The songs were very nice though.
My sister rang the theatre next day to tell them of our disappointment and she were asked why we didn’t tell anyone on the night. She said that all the ushers were busy selling ice creams and it was not a good opportunity.
We were offered tickets to see it again but turned down the offer. My sister asked for a refund but was told that this was probably not going to happen.
have to agree I watched it at the lyceum sheffield 22.10.16 Georgia May Foote as Holly totally out of her depth stilted acting a just dull in general, a disappoinment
Katy, i saw Breakfast at Tiffanys today and totally agree with you, it was quite a letdown, i couldn’t understand Pixie most of the time, we were sat quite far back and there were lots of people saying they couldn’t hear her well enough, perhaps it was her American accent ? we did complain to the floor manager at the interval, but it didn’t get any better.the highlight of the whole show was Pixie singing which was lovely, bit with only 3 short songs it was quite boring in between, i would not recommend it at all, i went with a group of ladies ranging in age from 40 to 80 and none of us were impressed at all !
Well I totally disagree with the two previous reviews, the show was absolutely fabulous, Pixie Lott and Matt Barber were excellent. Pixie’s singing was fantastic. I took my two teenage daughters who also thoroughly enjoyed it.
I saw the show on Wednesday at the matinee. Overall I was very disappointed with the show. I agree with the other reviewers who said they couldn’t hear Pixie well enough, although I did feel she shouted most of her lines. Very overacted. The guy who played Fred was much better, obviously a theatre actor, and it showed. This isn’t a show I would go to see again.
I agree with most if the previous reviews. This was not a good production. Pixie shouted throughout and her acting was not good. The rest if the cast were not much better. The sound was really bad which did not help in understanding the atrocious accents. The whole thing was not helped by latecomers arriving up to 40 minutes late. The policy for letting in latecomers in should be reviewed. We left at the interval.
Saw the show last night at the Mayflower Southampton…… It was dreadful. Sound and singing of Moonriver in particular very poor. My friend actually fell asleep during the first half it was sooooo boring
If you are considering booking I would advise you to save your money
Jenny 27th April 2016
Thank you for the honest reviews. Amy’s was so obviously just a promotion. Have just seen Pixie Lott on TV. Her style of singing does not appeal to me. The show is on at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe this week. I shall save my money ! Shall enjoy reading the reviews when it opens in the West End ! Charles Bell
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Saw this last night. It was the worst production I’ve ever seen. I can’t understand how the reviewer could call this sublime. It was more like subprime.
Went to see this show today in London, I left at the interval because I was bored I was afraid I would fall asleep before the end if I had stayed.
I have seen lots of west end shows and I’m afraid this has to be the one show I would never want to see again.