Diamond: A Woman Ahead Of His Time

With Dave Lynn in the lead role as Lil, this was bound to be an evening of fun. Over the years he has proved to be a worthwhile performer and one who puts his all into every role. This was no exception and it made fine use of his skill as a female impersonator, singer and pretty decent actor.
The show itself has much to like too. The story is good, a young boy, Harry, decides at a young age to live his life as a woman. It’s a decision that makes life tough but somehow he pulls it off and becomes a much loved part of the East End community and a solid rock when it comes to supporting others.

Richard Pocock plays his purple poof partner Maisie with ease, sordid, sleazy and walking a very dangerous line as a promiscuous homosexual when such things were not only frowned upon but illegal. Stephen Richards proves for a second time that there is much more behind his usual onstage persona of Lola Lasagne with a tough part as Lil’s straight and dodgy brother. The rest of the cast are all good but in particular Holli Hoffman and Corinna Gray.
I enjoyed the songs too, not only the faux East End romps but the more tender and moving ballads. That said they do call out for a fuller score to underpin the complexities which at times leave the vocal lines sounding a little naked.

Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome, 5 June 2013

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