Liza at the Landor! - Somewhere Under the Rainbow; The Liza Minnelli Story

By Ed Theakston

Sharon Sexton’s portrayal of Liza Minnelli has already been seen across the UK and Ireland, so it is about time that it came to London. This version of Somewhere Under The Rainbow; The Liza Minnelli Story is a one-act, one-woman show set in the intimate surrounds of Liza’s dressing room.

Liza is one of the most iconic divas, and there must be more impersonations and tribute acts to Ms Minnelli than to any other. Artfully constructed and flawlessly performed, this show becomes is more a portrait than just an impersonation.

Sharon Sexton is remarkable in her captivating performance as Liza Minnelli. The performance does not become a caricature – all the mannerisms are there, the signature giggle is there, but there is still truth at every moment. She could not be more accurate in her breathy voice and large, expectant, vulnerable eyes. It is a tribute to Sexton that at times it does feel like Liza is in the room; Sexton draws on the star power of Minnelli and seems to channel it into what is an inspired performance.

The focus of Somewhere Over The Rainbow is the haze that surrounds the truth in Liza’s life. Sexton’s Liza gradually lets the mask slip, and the glitzy façade disintegrates until we start to see some of the ‘real’ Liza.

Cillian O’Donnachadha’s witty script weaves the story of Liza’s career through the story of her relationship with her mother, often with surprisingly revelatory results. The anecdotes are both amusing and touching; from the hilariously disastrous joint performance at the Palladium to the crushing morning when the news of Judy’s death broke, Sexton pulls Liza through every emotion. By turns conspiratorial and cheeky, it is an impressive feat to make such well-trod ground seem suddenly new again.

In the final moments of the piece, it meanders somewhat with a few false climaxes. A little trimming to the last ten minutes might be beneficial to sustain the drive and energy of the rest of the show. Sexton’s superb, transformative performance, though, does ensure the audience’s attention doesn’t waver until her final curtain call.

The story is punctuated by expertly chosen musical numbers – from the iconic ‘Mein Herr’ (complete with full Fosse choreography on chair) to a shatteringly emotional performance of Sondheim’s Losing My Mind. It is a shame that the accompaniment was in the form of recorded piano parts rather than a live pianist, as this always makes a difference, but in a small space like the Landor this is an understandable decision.

So how much can we truly learn from allegedly biographical shows like this? It is a very different kind of evening to, say, Trevor Ashley’s Liza on an E, which has had several engagements on the West End. A female impersonator of the highest calibre, Ashley’s show was just as skilfully executed, just as surprising, just as entertaining, and at times just as moving, but what sets them apart is the intention. Somewhere Under The Rainbow, although it will inescapably be part tribute to the diva that inspired it all, sets itself out to explore the truth and ambiguity in Liza’s life. Other shows in the vein of Ashley’s Liza on an E are often higher camp, comedic entertainments that are more heavily an homage to a star. Positioning yourself as a ‘biopic’ style piece claiming to give an authentic glimpse into a real person as Somewhere Under The Rainbow does can mean that you have a far more challenging time trying to succeed in your aims.

Biopics can tread difficult ground – as the film about Grace Kelly, Grace of Monaco, seems to be finding. Truth is a volatile commodity. It could be said that it is even more difficult when the real person is still alive and present in people’s awareness.

While Sharon Sexton’s performance absolutely mesmerizes, do we leave Somewhere Under The Rainbow certain of the real story? Is that even possible? Writer and director Cillian O’Donnachadha has surely succeeded to the greatest feasible extent, then, as you do leave feeling like you’ve gotten to know this particular incarnation of Liza a little bit better.

Liza’s poignant assertion that “The truth disappoints people” is the show’s final parting shot. Somewhere Under The Rainbow certainly does not disappoint. Go see it, while you have the chance.

@EdTheakston

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