Pollyanna meets Piaf @ theSpaces @ Surgeon's Hall
“As the years went by my songs became my diary”
Written and performed by Melissa Cloake, this semi-autobiographical work of solo theatre charts the evolution of Janice as she progresses from her shy and sheltered side, characterised as Pollyanna, into her more self-confident Piaf.
Brought up a strict catholic, Janice struggles through rather conservative relationships with men before, in her mid-thirties, falling in love with a woman. Her deceptive partner, who seems at the opposite end of the spectrum to her in all things, comes and goes from her life, and in doing so awakens her to living.
Melissa sings tenderly about the heartache of breakups, heart-wrenching in her body language. The majority of her songs are accompanied simply but effectively by piano recordings, but one number, sung cappella as she lies morosely over a chair, particularly poignant for its lovely dynamics. There are some nice lyrics and the piece finishes with a lovely song, one or two (such as Hey, Mr. Cupid) may strike some as a little cheesy, but that is a matter of taste, particularly in musical theatre.
Sometimes Melissa’s delivery, tends a little towards “acting the acting.” There is a feeling that a more conversational tone could bring the audience in a little more.