How many US Presidents does it take to run a country? Three, apparently - and in the late 90s that was Bill, Billy and Hillary Clinton. I can hear your confusion. Egdoh Theatre have, in their musical satire on all things Monica Lewinsky, Newt Gingrich and Kenneth Starr, double-cast one of the most sexually deviant presidents in American history.
In this production, the 42nd President of the United States of America has two personas. His professional, public self, Mr William Jefferson Clinton, and his sexually active, third-basing-with-an-intern self, Billy Clinton. It’s a distinction that works well, combined with some excellently-written Book of Mormon-style numbers.
Clinton: The Musical comes off best in its musical numbers, with its Scottish and UK-based performers being tightly rehearsed. In particular, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland/RSAMD graduates Ruthie Luff (Hillary Clinton) and Stephen Arden (WJ Clinton) give standout performances, keeping the vocals punchy and the satire strong. Luff in particular wows with her belt, especially in her slower number towards the end of the show, as she debates her reaction to her husband’s infidelity.
Some elements of the show become tired - Hillary’s desperate affection for Eleanor Roosevelt becomes overly predictable, as does the constant debating between the two Bills. The distinctive musical numbers do a lot to stop the hour-long show becoming repetitious, especially in the hoe-down number and the finale, all impeccably led by Musical Director Gavin Whitworth.
One cannot help but feel this is a show more suited to a larger stage - the Gilded Balloon’s Nightclub space does provide substantial audience numbers, but at the expense of stage space. This is a shame since when the company are on stage everything feels a bit cramped. That said, the space is used very well, and the use of the auditorium is effective.
Overall this is a strong performance, with excellent characterisation and satirisation of the leading political figures (including Monica Lewinsky) in the late 90s attempted impeachment of Bill Clinton. Perhaps this still feels like the first workshop of a new musical, but with work it could well be remembered as the premiere run of a new smash hit.
