 Jacqueline Bouvier gets the full Edinburgh Fringe musical makeover and while her life was marked by tragedy and heartbreak, Jackie!!! serves it up with a dazzling mix of show-stopping numbers, absurdly brilliant comedy, and a rogues’ gallery of American legends you’ll never look at the same way again. All in just one hour.
From being very independent and working as a journalist to marrying into the illustrious Kennedy dynasty, Jackie quickly learns that power and prestige come with a heavy price: secrecy and silence. With Joe Kennedy pulling the strings, sister Lee pulling away, and JFK pulling… well, anything that moves, Jackie is left to decide whether life atop America’s throne is worth the cost. The music and story give Jackie the voice history so often denies her, focusing on her charm, resilience, and influence. The qualities overshadowed for decades by her husband’s tragic death. Here, she’s no mere window dressing for the Kennedy legacy; she’s a cultural and historical force in her own right, shaping America’s image and mythos, Camelot and all. Nancy Edwards delivers a pitch-perfect performance as Jackie. Around her, the rest of the cast shine just as brightly, inhabiting the larger-than-life Kennedy clan while somehow also finding the time to portray nearly every major historical figure of the 1960s. The result is a whirlwind of quick changes, sharp character work, and comedic precision as they bring history to life. By the time the curtain falls, you’ll leave the theatre with a deeper respect for her, and the infectious refrain of “Go Jackie, Go!” following you through the rest of the Fringe. Lee Hutchison 5/5 Jackie!!! Venue: Big Yin at Gilded Balloon Patter House Dates: August 9th to 25th Time: 1830 Tickets: www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jackie |
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