Alfred Hitchcock once said of Grace Kelly, she is a ‘volcano covered in snow.’ It is a brave and challenging undertaking to write a show about such an iconic figure, particularly one so well loved and admired as Princess Grace; an even greater challenge to then embody that figure on stage. The expectations of an audience to see their hero brought to life is immensely high but Grace Kiley, the author and actress of Longing for Grace strikes a delicate balance between acting and impersonation, an embodiment of the spirit rather than a carbon copy of the original.
From the moment you enter the theatre, it is apparent you are stepping back in time with a set and soundscape which immediately transports the audience to a world of high heels and high balls. The hour that follows reveals a tale far less storybook than the headlines, not so much a fairytale princess of a faraway land and queen of Hollywood as a small town girl whose tender heart leads her away from the life she loves into a dreary world of draconian servitude.
The true strength of this beautifully scripted work is the writing which floats as effortlessly and fluidly across the stage as the great Grace Kelly across the silver screen. Nuanced and beautifully paced, the language is a rich tapestry of delicious secrets, whispers and angry back door bargaining which would be the envy of any Hollywood rag.
Energized and earnest, Grace Kiley presents a solid though far too self-conscious portrayal, adopting a style which is at times strained and awkward, lacking the finesse and poise one has come to expect from such an iconic figure. Ms. Kiley would do well to forgo the clunky wardrobe changes which seem to mar her otherwise graceful transitions and enjoy a little more the riveting story which so clearly resonates in her writing. It would have been better to see a bit more of the volcano or even the snow but unfortunately, for a few too many moments of the show, what we are left with is slush. However, Kiley’s commitment to the piece and the tremendous strength of the writing had me captivated by every new revelation.
Although flawed, for anyone who loves a good story and wants a peek behind the Hollywood veil at one of the most fascinating and ultimately heartbreaking of real-life fairytales, this production will not disappoint. Longing for Grace exemplifies the adage that love does not conquer all and that in giving up our dreams, we lose ourselves.
