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Bonnie played "the definitive" Peter in Peter Pan: The Musical at the Aldwych Theatre and Sally in Me and My Girl at the Adelphi Theatre. When not appearing in the West End, Bonnie was busy touring the country starring in national productions of Charlie Girl, 42nd Street, Hollywood and Broadway II and Oklahoma! The BBC Concert Orchestra invited Bonnie to give her portrayal of Charity Hope Valentine in their special concert of the musical Sweet Charity broadcast in full on BBC Radio and to be kept forever in the BBC Archives. That
was the beginning of her happy and successful association with Charity.
In 1998, Bonnie brought her Sweet Charity to life at the
Victoria Palace Theatre, London achieving great acclaim. |
Theatre Archives
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In fact Langford has always struck me as a genuinely talented trouper who has withstood the pressures of child-stardom with rare grace. There is little doubt however, that after an amazing 30 years in the business (she is only 33), this starring role in a legendary show represented her last chance to establish herself as a major contender. It's a pleasure to report that she has passed the test with flying colours. Langford has at last grown up and discovered her own identity. She has huge natural talent, amazing vitality and perhaps that most precious of theatrical gifts, infectious warmth. The role of Charity Hope Valentine, the plucky dance-hall hostess who longs to be loved—couldn't suit her better. The ringlets have been replaced with a mop of dyed blonde hair, and she takes to the stage in a tiny beaded black dress with a heart tattooed on her arm. She is by turns funny, touching, sassy and vulnerable and both her high kicks and her comic timing are impeccable. As she launched into a show stopping rendition of If My Friends Could See Me Now, it was hard to suppress the feeling that it was addressed to all those who have mocked her in the past.
There
is no doubt however, that the night belongs to Bonnie Langford.
After three decades on the boards, it looks as though her career
may just be beginning." In 2004, Bonnie headlined the UK Tour of Fosse, a musical celebration of the life and work of the creator of Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Pippin and Chicago amongst many other innovating and extraordinary works. As the only British member of an all- American cast, Bonnie rose to the challenge with aplomb. 'At the centre of it all is Bonnie Langford ....It's a breath of fresh air to watch someone with genuine talent, stage presence and star quality sharing the stage with an equally hot dancing ensemble.' Sandra Ley. SOUTH WALES ECHO. 'Bonnie Langford has been parachuted in to head an otherwise all-American company in this effervescent musical celebration of the work of Broadway choreographer Bob Fosse. She proves a splendid choice, lending a Judy Garland flavour to such show stoppers as 'Big Spender' from Sweet Charity and 'Mein Herr; from Cabaret. Jeremy Brien. THE STAGE. Her association with Bob Fosse's work was rekindled in May 2006, when she played Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago (click here to view the archive Chicago page). Having begun her season at the Adelphi Theatre, Bonnie transferred with the hit show to its new London home - the Cambridge Theatre. Meanwhile, she continues to wow critics and audiences alike with her one woman concerts - a delicious combination of musical songs and stories mixed with tributes to the great artistes and songsmiths of our time. From an intimate cabaret revue show to a power-packed Big Band extravaganza, Bonnie and her excellent musicians can adapt their skills to suit any and every venue. Here is what some of the critics have said of her previous tours...
"A
spellbinding display of vocal pyrotechnics."
Daily Mail
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onnie
made her debut on the West End at the tender age of seven in a musical
adaptation of Gone with the Wind at the Theatre Royal, Drury
Lane.
The following year she played Baby June
in Gypsy opposite Angela Lansbury at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Bonnie made such an impact that the producers took her to America
with the show for a nationwide tour and a highly successful season
on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre. Having finished her schooling
at sixteen, she joined the original cast of Cats to create
the role of Rumpleteaser at the New London Theatre.She returned
to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane with The Pirates of Penzance
playing Kate and later Mabel in the national tour and limited season
of the show at the London Palladium.
"It
is Bonnie Langford's misfortune to be regarded as a national joke.
Whenever I told anyone I was reviewing her in this revival of Sweet
Charity I was met with incredulous sniggers and terrible impersonations
of her actually rather brilliant performance as Violet Elizabeth
Bott in just William. But then Bonnie-bashing has a long, if dishonourable
tradition. After seeing her in a stage version of Gone with the
Wind, Noel Coward quipped that they "ought to cut the second
act—and the child's throat". 
Sweet
Charity, first seen on Broadway in 1966 and offering an Americanised
stage version of a movie by Fellini, has more than one star however.
Though it has an engaging, if slight, book by Neil Simon, sharp
lyrics by Dorothy Fields and a tuneful brassy score by Cy Coleman,
it has Bob Fosse (who conceived, staged and choreographed the original
production) who still dominates the proceedings. His cracking dance
routines, with their distinctively teasing pelvic thrusts, splayed
legs and constant air of simmering sexuality, have been lovingly
recreated by Chet Walker. You think it will be impossible to beat
Big Spender, in which the dance hall girls greet their prospective
punters with a mixture of insolence and barely disguised contempt,
but Fosse pulls it off with the superbly cool and jazzy Rich Mans
Frug, sensationally led by Jane Fowler. And there's still The
Rhythm of Life number
to come in the second half, a riot of hippy dippy Sixties absurdity.
On a different
note, Bonnie has most recently been touring with the writer and
broadcaster, Sandi Toksvig in 'Short And Curly'. Having
appeared together many times on stage, most notably in 'Big Night
Out' at the Palace Theatre, written by Sandi Toksvig and Dillie
Keane, they decided to take their friendship and experience on the
road. This unusual mix of comedy and musical anecdotes has triumphed
and entertained large and wide ranging audiences throughout the
country. It is, in fact, a 'one woman show with two short people!'.
Such was the success of their last tour, they are due to set off to
theatres and festivals around the country once again in the coming
months.