My Judy Garland Life Review

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high  

There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby. 

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue 

And the dreams that you dare to dream, 

Really do come true"

Above are the lyrics to the start of a song that most of us will have heard, a song that conjures up so many memories of one of the most loved films of all time. But behind that voice was a young woman who had already gone through so much, a life that to the outside looked like glitz and glamour. But as the story of My Judy Garland Life tells us, this wasn't how it was at all.

The story is told through the eyes of the author Susie Boyt, as a young girl she worships Judy Garland seeing so much of herself in Judy and so through the highs and lows of Judy's (and her own) life comes a story about love and loss, helping Susie through the darkest days of her life.

The play itself was divine, I have never been to see a musical before but I was transfixed, Sally Ann Triplett was truly wonderful as Judy Garland, bringing to life an idol of so many, her voice and mannerisms both exquisite.

With Faye Elvin playing Susie Boyt and the three fabulous members of the band who helped the story along it was a beautiful play from beginning to end, from the moment you walk in to a bright, colourful and spectacularly sparkly stage to the last song I was left wanting more.

As I tried to fight back the tears I realised how beautiful the words in the songs actually were and how little I knew about this hollywood star and her tragic life, I have spent a few moments this morning reading about her life and listening to her songs.

It isn't uncommon these days for stars of Hollywood to burn out rather than fade away, dying young as a consequence of fame and fortune and the constant scrutiny of the papers and public this is a reminder of that, how even the most 'perfect' of lives can be tainted by what happened in our past.

I am in awe of this story and and can totally sympathise with Susie's sensitivity, only last month was I looking at several unsold Christmas Tree's thinking how sad it was they hadn't made it in to a home to be adored!

Overall I have nothing but praise for this play, both the story and adaptation are wonderful I cannot commend the actors enough for what was a stunning and energetic performance.

My Judy Garland Life is currently on at the Nottingham Playhouse until 15th February.

NB: I was given 6 tickets for myself and friends to see this play, however all words and thoughts are my own.