reviews: Big Blonde

Neil Cooper
Tuesday 13 August 1996 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The tragedy of the good-time girl gone to seed comes under scrutiny in Shirley Anderson's brilliant adaptation of a Dorothy Parker short story, which returns to Edinburgh after being a minor hitette last year. The perennially peroxided Hazel Morse is every guy's dream date, her scarlet pout breaking into snorts of unquestioning laughter at any opportunity. But when she hits the bottle - and boy does she hit it - the guys either leave town or get married. Suicide is never a serious option, so she clings to the only real constant companion she has left.

Parker's writing brutally cuts through the laughter, twisting the knife in the process, and Anderson brings Hazel to life with a beautifully observed portrayal which makes Hazel's gradual disintegration heartbreaking to watch. See this woman now and it's guaranteed you'll never be able to read Dorothy Parker again without picturing Shirley Anderson as the bitter- sweet lead in every tale.

n Hill Street Theatre (venue 41). To 28 Aug (not tomorrow, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in