Review: Flowers for Mrs Harris at Riverside Studios

Thursday, 5th October 2023 at Riverside Studios.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewer: Charlotte Dawes

Based on the 1958 book Mrs ‘Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico, Flowers for Mrs Harris finally makes its London premiere at Riverside Studios.

Directed by Bronagh Lagan, this heart-warming story follows the selfless working-class cleaner and war widow, Ada Harris, as she dares to dream big. After falling in love with a Christian Dior dress, the innately kind Mrs Harris works tirelessly to make the trip to Paris to buy a dress of her own.

Jenna Russell’s performance as the titular character is nothing short of spectacular. Russell masterfully portrays heart-wrenching conversations with her late husband Albert (Hal Fowler), while exhibiting real comedic timing alongside best friend Violet (Annie Wensak). The beautiful vocals in “Rain On Me” serve as a reminder why Russell is both an Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominated actor.

Casting director Jane Deitch’s magnificent casting extends to the supporting players, with almost all the company cleverly playing at least two roles. Annie Wensak made the audience laugh out loud on several occasions with her razor-sharp wit. Charlotte Kennedy is also a standout, showcasing her beautiful soprano vocals. David McKechnie, playing a pessimistic Major and a client of Mrs Harris, provides a strong vocal performance.

The operatic nature of the score is effective in driving the plot forward but doesn’t send you straight to Spotify to listen on repeat. That said, musical theatre is plainly the best medium for this story with the orchestration beautifully accompanying the moving script.

While this type of story risks stereotyping working class people, it successfully manoeuvres class issues and why it’s important to look at the person within. Flowers for Mrs Harris is a beautiful story of navigating grief, the power of friendship and self-discovery. This bloomin’ marvellous musical is about much more than just buying a dress.

Flowers for Mrs Harris runs at Riverside Studios until 25 November – more information and tickets can be found here.