Review: Lena, the Lena Zavaroni play - Edinburgh 2023

Erin Armstrong and Jon Culshaw in Lena, The Lena Zavaroni play. Photo credit: Feather Productions

Lena: The Lena Zavaroni play ★★★★☆

by Tim Whitnall

Feather Productions and Glass Handbag Productions

Review: Assembly George Square: Gordon Aikman Theatre

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, August 2023

In 1974, 10-year-old singing sensation Lena Zavaroni simultaneously won the nations hearts and 5 episodes of top TV Talent Show Opportunity Knocks. Becoming a star and a household name so young certainly took its toll. When we meet Lena in this new play by BAFTA and Olivier Award Winning writer Tim Whitnall it's 25 years later, 1999, and we discover a very different Lena, one for whom the glory days are long gone.

Lena is a compelling play with music which explores what happened to Lena Zavaroni in the intervening years. It features a live band and a five-strong cast including Erin Armstrong as Lena and Jon Culshaw as the '1970's Simon Cowell', Hughie Green.

I instantly connected with the story: Being from the west coast of Scotland myself, the names, places and accents were all familiar to me and invoked a strong sense of nostalgia. I'm not so acquainted with the reasons why it all went wrong for Lena.... And I found this 90 minute play both fascinating and devastating.

Victor Zavaroni (Alan McHugh) seemed to be the only adult with any misgivings about sending such a young child alone, to London, to be at the mercy of the cruel entertainment industry and its puppet masters. We are, thankfully, a lot less trusting of 'powerful' strangers nowadays. Alan McHugh gives such a brilliant performance as the likeable, hesitant cheerleader in Lena's life I was straight on the internet when I got home to check if her father is still alive.

Erin Armstrong and Jon Culshaw in Lena, The Lena Zavaroni play. Photo credit: Feather Productions

Jon Culshaw is excellent as Hughie Green. A sort of sinister, Jekyll and Hyde character - sweet and warm in front of the cameras, he is portrayed as cold and calculating off screen. Did he ever realise what damage his throwaway comments had on Lena and possibly others just as vulnerable as her?

But it is Erin Armstrong as Lena who quite rightly steals this show. From bubbly, eager child star, to frail, desperate adult, Erin is exceptional from beginning to end. Her voice, her poise, her stage presence are all remarkable. I can scarcely believe that this is Erin's theatrical debut. Three times I have double checked that! But it's true. She is a superstar, and this production soars because she is the focal point.

The staging is clever with half of the stage doubling for the Zavaroni's modest home on Rothesay where they watch their daughter perform on a tiny TV screen; the rest hosts the stage and live band. It works well.

The music throughout this show is great, with many more recognisable classic tunes than I was expecting. There is plenty of joy and toe-tapping to be had along with the more sombre moments.

Learning about the details of Lena's illness and the multitude of treatments and medications she took in an attempt to save her life and reignite her career only serves to reinforce what an exceptional and strong young lady she was. Although set in the past, the themes of this play are absolutely still relevant today. Society remains obsessed with celebrity culture and many people still seek fame at any cost.

The standing ovation at the end of this play was enthusiastic and well deserved. I couldn't actually see the bows through my tears.

Lena is a beautiful show with an exceptional performance at its heart. I do hope this production lives on beyond the Fringe so that many more people have the chance to learn about Lena and her story. ★★★★☆

When and Where?

Dates: 3 – 28 August (not 15th)

Time: 12:35pm

Venue: Assembly George Square: Gordon Aikman Theatre

Address: 32 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LH

Price: £14.00 - £19.00

Box Office: https://assemblyfestival.com

Lena, The Lena Zavaroni play - CAST & CREATIVES

CAST

ERIN ARMSTRONG - LENA ZAVARONI

JON CULSHAW - HUGHIE GREEN

ALAN McHUGH - VICTOR ZAVARONI

JULIE COOMBE - HILDA ZAVARONI

HELEN LOGAN - DOROTHY SOLOMON

PRODUCERS

ANNA MURPHY FOR FEATHER PRODUCTIONS

JULIE COOMBE & JOHN MacNEILL FOR GLASS HANDBAG PRODUCTIONS

MICHAEL EDWARDS FOR MJE PRODUCTIONS

ASSEMBLY FESTIVAL

CREATIVES

BECKY MINTO – DESIGNER

LAURA HAWKINS – LIGHTING DESIGNER

PAUL SMITH – SOUND DESIGNER

MATTHEW BROWN – MUSICAL DIRECTOR & ARRANGER

ALISON McNEIL - VIOLINIST

🎟️ Disclosure: I am an Edinburgh Festival Fringe accredited media reviewer and as such I receive complimentary press tickets in exchange for my honest reviews. My reviews and star ratings are always my honest opinions.

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