The new musical Beautiful Little Fool, now playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough, aims to explore the tumultuous marriage of F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald but falls short of capturing their Jazz Age brilliance. With music and lyrics by Hannah Corneau and direction by Michael Greif, the production boasts a talented cast but struggles with a superficial script and forgettable melodies.
The story follows the well-known trajectory of the Fitzgeralds' rise and fall, framed through the perspective of their daughter Scottie, who wanders through their archive. Lauren Ward delivers a moving performance as Scottie, but the framing device feels underdeveloped, leaving the audience questioning her purpose in the narrative.
Despite strong vocal performances from David Hunter as F Scott and Amy Parker as Zelda, the show never delves into why the couple were so dazzling or darkly troubled. Corneau's lyrics, such as “Trust is a funny thing / You have it one day and then it’s gone,” are corny and repetitive, failing to convey the wit and spark of the two wordsmiths.
The musical also sidesteps Zelda's mental health issues, opting instead for a sudden, anti-patriarchy climax. While there are tender moments, such as their Alabama meeting in One Night in July, no melodies linger from the many ballads. The production lacks the energy and depth needed to bring the Fitzgeralds' story to life.
Those seeking a more compelling take may look ahead to the upcoming musical The Fitzgeralds of St Paul, scheduled for a New York launch this spring.
