From London With Love

Can Anna Go Lightly? | December 26, 2009

When Anna Friel first arrived on stage in nothing but a towel and a blonde wig, there was an air of confusion. The audience, me included, had expected a Holly Golightly inspired by the iconic Audrey Hepburn; a conservative brunette dressed head to toe in her trademark colour (black, for those of you who are unacquainted) and decked out in pearls.

But you see this play is full of surprises. That is unless; you are familiar with the works of Truman Capote, the American writer responsible for creating the jewel of a tale that is Breakfast at Tiffany’s. His story about a young writer’s relationship with a good-time girl in 1940s New York is nothing short of a masterpiece. Though it was later made famous by Blake Edwards’s film version, this stage adaption stays utterly faithful to the original novella.

Forget the Hollywood movie; this Holly Golightly is a wittier, darker creature – given to singing Kurt Weill by the fire escape. She captivates men (naked sunbathing, anyone?) lives a ritzy night-life, and has a heart as big as her hat. Nevertheless, it is her compassion that proves her undoing. Though Anna may not be quite as beautiful as Hepburn, she reaches greater dramatic depth, capturing the fear and solitude that lies behind Holly’s glamorous façade.

And glamorous it is. If truth be told, I would have paid good money just to sit and admire Friel’s costumes. An array of chic yet spectacular cocktail dresses, each of them garnished with oversized accessories – the ultimate one being her ginger ‘no-name slob’ cat, who also earned himself several rounds of applause.

The man in question, William ‘Fred’ Parsons, is played wonderfully by Joseph Cross. While seeming a little baby-faced at first, he gradually grows into the role and his love for Holly is unquestionably convincing. The rest of the cast are equally as accurate – with Madame Spanella, the soprano in the flat above, providing the audience with some light-hearted humour.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is definitely a West-End must-see, if only for the dazzling cast. Just don’t expect a grand set or impressive props – this play relies only on the Manhattan Skyline for the backdrop to such a brilliant performance.

Darling, it’s fabulous.