REVIEW: The Scot and the Showgirl – Pleasance Queen Dome

Real life couple Frances Ruffelle and Norman Bowman (she the Tony Award-winning stage diva and the original English language Éponine in Les Mis and he a West End leading man with a list of enviable stage and screen credits to his name) bring the sort-of-true musical story of their relationship to the city where it started.

Their “perfectly imperfect relationship” began 28 years ago at Edinburgh’s Waverley train station and after two marriages and five kids between them, they chart the ups and downs of their quirky love story.

Accompanied by a three piece band, piano, drums and cello, they present an incredibly eclectic selection of songs from “Brigadoon to Broadway and from Scotland to Sondheim via Costello, Bacharach, The Proclaimers and more”. All delivered with a real joy. The duo radiate enthusiasm for their craft and this personally chosen material.

Despite the mid-afternoon time slot, the pair manage to rouse the auditorium of musical theatre aficionados with the warmth of their personalities, sheer talent and professionalism. There’s lots of eye-contact with the audience, participation encouraged and the lovely Frankie can certainly flirt with a crowd. The largely Scottish audience delight in Bowman’s touching version of Caledonia and sing-a-long to 500 Miles – almost the alternative Scottish national anthem.

There are plenty of highlights and each gives the other the chance to shine. Theatre fans will be delighted to know that Ruffelle delivers a spine-tingling version of On My Own as an encore.

Not your usual run of the mill musical theatre cabaret, this is a real rare treat to see two first class performers in such an intimate setting.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Runs until 26 August 2024 | Image: Contributed