More Than a Little Black Dress
US$30.00 – US$109.50 ex GST
Coco Chanel sizzles, manipulates and charms her way through this stylised play. Coco was a ruthless opportunist – with a known penchant for wealthy lovers and dangerous company.
Coco, as a heroine is not particularly likeable – but she is someone that commands respect, even a grudging admiration, for her ability to make life, no matter how hard, work for her. Her many lovers are represented in Act One by her one true love, the English playboy whose position in his rigid upper-class society would never see her married to him, and in Act Two the charming German intelligence officer – whose relationship with her could cost her life.
So much larger than life, the play portrays two important stages in her life. The Free French Collaboration Tribunal examines her many dubious war-time relationships and actions. But for the action to flow impeccably from Coco’s glamorous lifestyle to the Tribunal (where she defends herself with her scathing wit and mockery) the writer uses the theatrical device of employing two actresses. One charts her life through several years, the other one remains in 1946 for her interrogation. It is an intriguing concept for the audience, which has an effective impact as the scenes alternate.
The Deluxe Package contains – Script, copying fee and a complimentary download of the original performance from 2015, staged by the Maleny Players.
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Brian Twomey –
Fashion, fusion and friction – all combine in Jo Denver’s powerful examination of the life of Coco Chanel
It was a stylish start to the Blackheath Theatre Company’s sell-out production of Australian author Jo Denver’s powerful play, More than a Little Black Dress. The play shines an illuminating light on the complex and controversial life of fashion icon Coco Chanel.
Opening night patrons were encouraged to capture the mood of the French je ne sais quoi vibe. This they did splendidly, transforming the pre-performance foyer into a kaleidoscope of joie de vivre.
They were rewarded with a compelling insight into the transitory, triumphant, and ultimately tangled times of the girl who shook off her humble orphanage beginnings to transform and ascend to the peak of the world of haute couture.
Theatre lovers across the Blue Mountains community responded with equal enthusiasm over the next five performances. They appreciated the challenge of the theatrical staging, whereby strategic lighting separated the storytelling of the salon success of Coco’s reputation juxtaposed against the lesser-known darker side of Coco’s interrogation by the post-World War II Free French Tribunal.
The Tribunal’s intent was to unearth the true extent of Coco’s collaboration with high-ranking Nazi officers during their occupation of Paris.
Fiery, combative acting in the interrogation scenes played out against the gentler and seductive salon scenes of Coco’s subtle pursuit of high-powered lovers who were underwriting her rise to stardom.
Audience reaction ranged from “please extend the season” to “spell-binding production”; from “a fine ensemble cast carried a powerful play through to a successful conclusion” to “imaginative portrayal of a marvellous storyline.”
Author Jo Denver said of this production:
“Congratulations on a tight, intelligent, professional show. I doubt if you could have found two more suitable or talented Chanels, they were magnificent; polished performers who attacked their roles with relish and added a reality in capturing the many sides of his mercurial woman.
“The cast were completely believable, with each character enthusiastically self-righteous in keeping up the pressure and pace. These difficult scenes were beautifully handled.”
– Brian Twomey, Blackheath Theatre Company Marketing Director