Lennox and Tucker are full of warmth and power
Two women soaring over the edge of the Grand Canyon in a Ford Thunderbird convertible, the image freezing before we can see what happens next: the iconic and much-parodied end scene of 1991’s Thelma & Louise is likely better known than the film itself. With original writer Callie Khouri brought on board for the book, the Young Vic is bringing the cult classic to a new generation — this time as a musical, writes Melina Block.
The story is pretty simple, tracking disillusioned housewife Thelma (Amy Lennox) and her cynical, independent best friend, Louise (Rachel Tucker), on a weekend trip gone wrong. After Louise kills the man attempting to rape her friend, the pair take to the road, outrunning the police, FBI, and the oppressive lives they long to escape. Lennox and Tucker are breathtaking as the leads, giving performances that are sometimes hilarious, sometimes gut-wrenching, and always full of warmth and power.
Ultimately unable to escape the violent misogyny that leaks into every crevice of their lives, Thelma & Louise does an excellent job at expressing the bleak reality of womanhood under patriarchy while affording Thelma and Louise full autonomy and whole, believable characterisations. While the songs are generally weaker than the dialogue, the overarching ideas – as progressive and uncompromising as when first presented on screen – more than carry the show.
Discussing the new adaptation of her film, Khouri had said that she felt things had only gotten worse for women in the over three decades since it first came out. It is, then, perhaps a testament to not only the timeliness of her original story but a shameful reflection of the unending crisis of violence against women and girls, that makes this show feel so urgent and necessary. While the musical additions won’t work for everyone, the underlying messages cut through, ensuring this is essential viewing.
Young Vic until 24th October
Booking and full details: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/thelma-louise/
