How to Make a Mess review – Nigella Lawson musical lacks a vital ingredient
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London To help her digest the grief of her mother’s death, a woman conjures the celebrity cook in this show written
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London To help her digest the grief of her mother’s death, a woman conjures the celebrity cook in this show written by Emily Rose Simons A musical about Nigella Lawson makes sense – after all, the creamy-voiced, innuendo-spouting domestic goddess almost feels like a theatrical creation.
Then again, inserting her indelible force into a production comes with challenges, especially when she isn’t the only star of the show – as in this fun but flawed two-hander written by Emily Rose Simons. Anna’s estranged mother has just died and she is ignoring calls from her dad, who left when Anna was a child.
As she opens his favourite cookbook, Nigella’s How to Eat, its exuberant author emerges from a spangly kitchen cupboard to help Anna process her grief, reconnect with her father and better care for herself – all by learning to cook.
At Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London, until 28 June Continue reading...
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