Jordan Wright
March 13, 2018
Special to The Alexandria Times
Catherine Flye as British Comedian Joyce Grenfell ~ Photo credit Christopher Banks
If you were unfamiliar with famed British comedienne, Joyce Grenfell, you won’t be any longer with Catherine Flye’s tribute performance to Grenfell’s long and notable career. In the second show of MetroStage’s Spring Solo Series, British-born Flye brings to life the singer, actress and monologist, and one of England’s most beloved entertainers.
Catherine Flye as British Comedian Joyce Grenfell ~ Photo credit Christopher Banks
The show is a series of pastiches illustrating Grenfell’s best loved characters interwoven with songs and spoofs and remembered moments of humor and pathos. You’ll even spot echoes of Gilbert & Sullivan. Veteran performer Flye is accompanied delightfully by musical arranger and pianist Joseph Walsh playing music written by Richard Addinsell as well as standards like “Fly Me to the Moon”, “Don’t You Know” and “The Girl From Ipanema”. Narrator Michael Tolaydo provides backdrop to the period.
Catherine Flye as British Comedian Joyce Grenfell ~ Photo credit Christopher Banks
Flye, who devised the production, dons Grenfell like a second skin weaving the best of Grenfell’s British music hall follies as effortlessly and cheerily as Mary Poppins would. This was the style of the day and audiences familiar with this era will have fond memories of the music and this particular form of humor. She reminded me of Patricia Routledge’s character, Hyacinth Bouquet, in PBS’s long-running series Keeping Up Appearances.
Catherine Flye as British Comedian Joyce Grenfell ~ Photo credit Christopher Banks
The show has been performed throughout the U. S., including the British Embassy in DC, East Africa and across the United Kingdom.
A treat for Anglophiles.
The second in a trio of one-woman shows at MetroStage through March 25th . 1201 North Royal Street, Alexandria, 22314. For tickets and information visit online.