Downstage Theatre
July 27-August 4 | Reviewed by Helen Sims

I HAVE TO admit that despite the general praise that has been heaped in its direction (and I have to wonder now how much of this is publicity generated) I came away from Falling In Love Again feeling underwhelmed and unmoved – sort of like I had seen a really upmarket Elvis impersonator. Blame it on my age if you will – all my prior experience with Marlene Dietrich is via still or motion pictures, but I always thought her to be incredibly glamorous, sexy and mysterious. I was really looking forward to learning a bit more. While she hits the glamour on the head, and goes a far way toward being a sex symbol, Jennifer Ward-Lealand just didn’t seem to capture or unravel any of that mystery for me.

Perhaps I went along with the wrong expectations – I wasn’t expecting an hour and a half of pretty much pure imitative singing of songs that Dietrich performed on stage or on film. I thought there would far more of a show, in terms of fleshing out the life of the German diva. Instead we are given brief, oblique or tokenistic references to the point of Dietrich’s life that the song relates to as they are introduced. So it definitely wasn’t a play, despite the seating block being set up to face the stage en masse, which would lead one to expect a bit more of a performance. A procession of songs just seemed a bit hollow to convey the facets of (as the programme describes her) the “Film Goddess. Cabaret Chanteuse. Tireless Soldier. Immortal Icon.”

If it was supposed to be pure cabaret, then I felt the show falls short on this mark too- firstly because of the afore-mentioned seating arrangements – I would have expected to be seated a small tables or the like. Secondly, I would have expected far more audience interaction. Thirdly a costume change or two might have made it a little livelier. This is not to deny the beauty of the costume that Ward-Lealand came out in – she shimmers in a revealing and close-fitting gold gown that I understand is a replica of a dress that caused some scandal. However, as visually appealing as this was, I was disappointed when she returned in the same attire for the second half.

As for the songs themselves, some stood out, some were comical, aping the empty roles she played in Hollywood films, some were seductive and some were a little bit of a let down. Her entrance was strong and teasing with a powerfully sung rendition of “Look Me Over Closely”. I particularly enjoyed the ‘war’ songs in the second half, especially “White Grass”- a bitter song about the end of the war. I thought the rendition of “Lilli Marlene”, arguably one of the most famous (and anticipated) songs however, was disappointing.

The two musicians that accompany Ward-Lealand, Grant Winterburn on piano and Aaron Coddel on bass, are excellent and remain in character throughout the show, but always according deference on the stage to Marlene. All three are ably lit by Andrew Malmo.

What really fascinated the public about Dietrich – her aloofness, the rumours about her personal life and her seeming knowingness is not really investigated by this show. Perhaps the stage show that inspired this collection of songs, Marlene, would have given me more of the story I desired. This show seems well planned out, just not well fleshed out. Falling In Love Again is perfect light entertainment that you do not have to concentrate too hard on. Suitable for those who are fans of the music and want an enjoyable, if unchallenging night out.