Buckle Up for the Ride with ‘Bonnie & Clyde’!
The latest spectacular offering of Musical Theatre at RGS Worcester was Bonnie & Clyde, a thrilling and emotionally charged retelling of the infamous criminal duo’s tragic lives. Set against the backdrop of 1930s America, the musical traces the tumultuous relationship between Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, whose crime spree captured the nation’s attention. Blending rock, blues, jazz, and gospel, the challenging and evocative score was masterfully led by Director of Music, Mr Soman and perfectly performed by the student and staff band, whose energy and talent elevated the entire production.
On stage, the lead roles of Bonnie (Kitty Hildred) and Clyde (Arthur Hasling) were perfectly cast, with the audience instantly drawn to their magnetic chemistry. The actors brilliantly captured the complex mix of love, rebellion, and doomed ambition that defines the couple’s story. One of the most striking aspects of the production was how skilfully Kitty and Arthur navigated the emotional highs and lows, from tender moments of intimacy to the raw violence of the characters’ ultimate downfall. Kitty’s performance of ‘Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad’—which features lyrics written by the real Bonnie Parker—is particularly moving, as is her poignant duet with Izzy Hadley on ‘You Love Who You Love.’ Their vocal performances were nothing short of remarkable, leaving the audience in awe of the maturity and depth displayed by these young actors.
Arthur brought his own magnetic energy to the role of Clyde, especially in his electrifying rendition of ‘Raise a Little Hell’, where his raucous energy channelled the character’s restless spirit. His duet with his on-stage brother, Buck (played by Kieran Lilley), in ‘When I Drive’ crackles with youthful defiance and the dream of escape from their dead-end lives. Kieran, an RGS Drama regular, played Buck with a mix of toughness and vulnerability, bringing heart to his character’s complex relationship with his family. Meanwhile, the young Bonnie (Grace Norris) and Clyde (Emily Jackson) offered a glimpse into the couple’s turbulent childhoods, delivering their scenes with such genuine emotion that the audience felt the weight of their fateful destinies. The characters’ tender interactions with their mothers—played with warmth by Annabelle Howarth and Amelie Lockley—reminded us that, despite their criminal lives, the characters were driven by love and loyalty to their families; in fact it was this devotion which leads to their ultimate demise.
To lighten the often intense emotional atmosphere, the production also offered moments of sharp, comedic brilliance. Izzy Hadley shone as Blanche, the God-fearing sister-in-law of Clyde, who provides a striking contrast to Bonnie’s free-spiritedness. In one of the show’s standout moments, Blanche sings ‘You’re Goin’ Back to Jail’ while working at her hair salon, trying to convince her husband Buck to turn himself in. The other ladies in the salon (played by Cerys Hickman, Elizabeth Kaleniuk and Julia Gebhardt) offer hilarious commentary on how much better life is with their husbands behind bars, resulting in one of the play’s more light-hearted, crowd-pleasing moments. The comedy reaches its peak when Kieran’s Buck, trying to evade the police, hides in the salon with a magazine covering his face, pretending to be a lady getting her hair done.
The authority figures in Bonnie and Clyde are portrayed as unsympathetic, ranging from bumbling, incompetent cops to sadistic prison guards. The one exception is Ted Hinton, the conflicted lawman who harbours deep feelings for Bonnie. Played with subtlety and depth by Alex Battle-Welsh, in his stage debut at RGS, Ted is the only authority figure allowed to sing, and Alex’s performance offers a glimpse of a promising career ahead. Mention must also be made of the fantastic Chrissy Cullen who delivers a standout performance as the preacher, powerfully leading her congregation in the gospel number ‘God’s Arms Are Always Open’ with infectious energy and passion. The quality of this piece is reminiscent of professional theatre rather than Senior School drama.
Indeed, the entire cast, whether portraying everyday citizens, bank tellers, or law enforcement officers, invested fully in their roles, bringing authenticity and heart to each moment. Equally, the crew discharged their duties with the utmost professionalism, enhancing the overall quality of the production. Mrs Witcomb’s direction of the show was both clever and dynamic, especially in the dramatic shoot-out finale, which was brilliantly executed with the help of creative set design, projections, and lighting that heightened the emotional stakes.
Every aspect of this production of Bonnie & Clyde was a triumph for all students and staff involved. It not only showcased the immense talent of the RGS student body but also demonstrated the power of theatre to tell a story of love, rebellion, and tragedy that resonates across generations.
Miss Juliana Atyeo, Deputy Head Pastoral
