Enthusiastic performer: Jackie Cox’s Florence Foster Jenkins poses for the camera in full regalia in the rehearsal room for Rowntree Players’ production of Glorious!
COVER your ears! Here comes Glorious! The True Story Of Florence Foster Jenkins, The Worst Singer In The World, as told by Peter Quilter in his play with music, to be staged by Rowntree Players from March 13 to 15 at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.
Billed as a “joyous and heart-warming comedy”, this 2005 play is based on the life of 1940s’ New York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, who had a passion for singing but a voice for disaster, nevertheless defying her far-from-perfect pitch to perform enthusiastically to bemused audiences.
Considered by many to be “the worst singer in the world” and “the First Lady of the sliding scale”, Florence gave charity private recitals to fans, such as Cole Porter, sang at extravagant balls, made bizarre recordings and revelled in a legendary, triumphant sold-out performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall at the age of 76.
Neil Foster’s Cosme McMoon, left, Jackie Cox’s Florence Foster Jenkins and Mike Hickman’s St Clair in Rowntree Players’ Glorious!
Soprano Florence warbled and screeched her way through her performances, where audiences greeted her with derisive laughter, but this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics, instead surrounding herself with a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was.
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, Quilter’s play is a story of friends who embrace their delusions and have the courage to follow their dreams, no matter what.
Director Martyn Hunter has assembled a cast of Jackie Cox as Florence Foster Jenkins; Neil Foster, Cosme McMoon; Jeanette Hunter, Dorothy; Mike Hickman, St Clair; Chris Higgins, Mrs Verrinderr-Gedge, and Moira Tate, Maria.
Mike Hickman in rehearsal for his role as St Clair
Martyn is joined in the production team by production and technical manager Graham Smith and marketing and costumes team Sara Howlett and Leni Ella.
Rowntree Players present Glorious! The True Story Of Florence Foster Jenkins, The Worst Singer In The World, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, March 13 to 15, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Box office: 01904 501935 or josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.
Did you know?
GLORIOUS received its West End premiere at the Duchess Theatre, London, on November 3, 2005, directed by Alan Strachan with Hull actress Maureen Lipman in the role of Florence Foster Jenkins.
Chris Higgins’s Mrs Verrinderr-Gedge, Jeanette Hunter’s Dorothy and Moira Tate’s Maria in a poster for Rowntree Players’ production of Glorious!