Laura Johnston’s one-woman show Hitchcock’s Birds is superbly researched and well performed, but leaves the audience wanting more.
The concept behind this show is compelling: an insight into the mind of film director Alfred Hitchcock, delivered from the mouths of his leading ladies. The script is taken entirely from real life interviews with Hitchcock’s actresses, including Doris Day, Grace Kelly and Tippi Hedren. Interspersed between the dialogue is a smattering of song, designed to provide a deeper insight into the thoughts of the women.
There is no real narrative to this show, nor do the interviews flow in any real chronology. Johnston jumps between characters, using set stage positions and projected photos of the actresses to help the audience keep track of the voices. It is certainly an interesting approach, and helps to portray Hitchcock as a complex and multifaceted person, viewed by some as a genius and others as a tyrant.
Johnston said in an earlier interview that she does not want her characterisations to be impersonations. That said, she has absolutely captured the essence of her well-known subjects. Each woman is presented with a unique style and voice, and for those that are given songs, the vocal treatment is carried through confidently.
However, you are left wanting more from some of the characters. We spend quite a bit of time with Grace and Tippi, and not nearly enough with Doris and Kim Novak. Whether due to a lack of source material, or because their stories were not considered interesting enough, you’re left with the feeling of being slightly short-changed. Perhaps more time could be spent building up a pleasing picture of Hitchcock, from those who enjoyed their experience, to then bring this crashing down with Tippi’s harrowing recollections from her time on The Birds. This may have been what Johnston was trying to do, but the tension didn’t quite build enough.
The songs, too, leave you wishing for more. Johnston has a great cabaret voice and performs her chosen pieces well, but there’s just not enough of them. The songs feel a bit clunky, not quite at ease in their respective places within the production. More music would have helped to give some of the characters greater depth, and made the whole show a bit more cohesive.
Johnston is supported by a live piano, which provides cover for the character changes and accompaniment for the songs. Lighting is subtle but effective. A standing spotlight is used to great effect during Kim’s speech, and similar, compelling devices could have been used for other characters.
Leaving the theatre, you can’t help but feel compelled to run home and check the Netflix menu for a Hitchcock hit. Johnston has certainly done her homework and the show leaves you wanting to know more. That said, it also leaves you wanting more from the production. A longer, more indepth analysis of the actresses and more songs would lift this show to the next level.
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Hitchcock’s Birds is playing as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival at Erskineville Town Hall until 30th September. For tickets, go here.
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