Queen of comedy, pop-culture icon and sitcom pioneer, the private life of Lucille Ball’s final years are revealed in I Loved Lucy.
When it comes to comedy greatness it’s hard to look past Lucille Ball. With the trademark red hair, wide-eyed expressions and goofball antics, her unique brand of humor paved the way for other stars of TV slapstick, such as Fran Drescher and Debra Messing.
For many years Ball ruled the television airwaves in different shows, while always retaining the zany persona of Lucy. She was also a shrewd businesswoman and producer long before the likes of Madonna or Oprah Winfrey, but above all, she was human like the rest of us.
I Loved Lucy is based on the published memoirs of Lee Tannen, who befriended the actress in the last ten years of her life. With a mutual love of backgammon, the two spent many afternoons playing the ancient board game, while bantering and confiding in each other. This two-hander play delves into that relationship, particularly drawing on Ball’s quick-witted humor and Lee’s coming-out to the veteran star.
Playing the role of Tannen is Broadway actor Matthew Scott (An American In Paris) and in the role of Lucy is Sandra Dickinson (A Streetcar Named Desire). With the play written by Tannen himself, London’s Jermyn Street Theatre artistic director Anthony Biggs is at the helm, with Gregor Donnelly providing set and costume design. The production already had two sold-out runs last year, when Matthew Bunn (After the Fairytale) played the role of Tannen.
While some critics believe the story’s spotlight should fall less on Tannen and more on Ball, we can’t forget that this is Tannen’s somewhat cathartic adventure, and his forth-wall-breaking dialogue is fairly pivotal to the story. In fact, the majority of reviews for this production have mostly been positive, pointing out how well Dickinson channels the cranky and wisecracking Ball. Stage Review called it a tour-de-force performance, Broadway World labeled it a masterclass in acting, and The Stage went all out to say it’s a miracle to watch!
Apart from the comedy and bittersweet moments (at one point Ball and Tannen have a major falling out), there are those great fly-on-the-wall moments where Lucy delves into such Hollywood gossip as Clark Gable’s dick size and her feud with Richard Burton. But we also see the darker side of the star, facing the effects of time, the loss of husband Desi Arnez and her failed comeback attempt at a sitcom.
There is a moment in the play where Tannen makes comparisons to the Norma Desmond and Joe Gilles relationship of Sunset Boulevard, however, I Loved Lucy is more like a reversal of Buyer & Cellar – where an unlikely and ill-fated friendship occurs with Barbra Streisand and her caretaker. But unlike Buyer & Cellar or Sunset Boulevard, I Loved Lucy is based on reality, thus giving it a pure and anticipated edge. After all, truth is stranger than fiction.
Whether hit or miss, given this play’s subject matter, the persona of Lucille Ball is clearly enough to draw in the crowds. Even some thirty years after her death, it seems the world still loves Lucy!
I Loved Lucy plays the Arts Theatre London until September 2
For more visit: artstheatrewestend.co.uk
