Writer: Peter Briffa
Director: Owain Rose
Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Hollywood Biography“
3/ 5
Peter Lawford – an English actor who took Hollywood by storm, was best friends with Frank Sinatra, had JFK as his brother-in-law, and frequently socialised with Marilyn Monroe, yet vanished into obscurity somewhat compared to his companions. Where did it all go wrong?
He often referred to himself as being ‘famous for being famous’, his well-connected social life keeping him on the map even when he wasn’t being casted as the leading man. By the time he was in his 60s he had been married three times, fallen out with many of his peers (including Sinatra), and struggled heavily with alcohol and substance abuse. His interesting life is told from his point of view, in this one man show that delivers an end to end biography of sorts – from his strained relationship with his mother, right up to his very last days in a rehab centre. Playing Lawford, is Jonathan Hansler, who embodies the character well, with a likeable manner and an enjoyable inclusion of a variety of accents to personify various interactions. The sixty-minute runtime packs a lot in, featuring so many anecdotes and name drops that it’s a surprise that prior to the show, Lawford had never been on my radar!
Because of the huge amount of life experiences Lawford has had, it would be beneficial for some slightly more measured pacing, or a break in the script, as there are moments where the stories come so thick and fast, that they start to blend together and lose some of the impressive impact. That being said, the balance of humorous memories, combined with some of the struggles and loss he had experienced, is well-done, allowing a variety of tone within the script, and a true portrayal of Lawford’s life.
Peter Lawford was clearly a very interesting individual, and it’s enjoyable watching Hansler fondly recount the ins and out of Lawford’s life.
Runs until 9 August 2025
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