Pat Kirkwood is Angry

Running Time: 80 minutes approx without an interval

Pat Kirkwood is Angry is a funny and heartbreaking play with songs about the loss of fame and reputation. Singer and actress Pat Kirkwood was named Britain’s first wartime star in 1939, with shows written for her by Noel Coward, but her fortunes took a nose-dive after a fateful meeting with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, the repercussions of which were to last her whole life.

Pat Kirkwood is Angry returns to London after a sell-out three week run in New York at the Brits off Broadway festival, where it was critic’s pick in the New York Times. It was originally a co-production with Opera North in association with the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

‘A spell-binding cabaret show at the 59E59Theaters written by and starring the gifted singer Jessica Walker…Ms Walker’s resplendent mezzo-soprano brings a bright lustre to the dozen or so songs in the show…Should Kirkwood be looking down from the showbiz heavens, she would be anything but riled by Ms Walker’s warm, evocative consideration of her career: a loving tribute from one singular talent to another’ Charles Isherwood, New York Times

‘Jessica Walker’s lovely musical memoir of the star’s life and career…But enough about Miss Kirkwood, — let us turn to the immense talent of Miss Walker as she deftly guides us on this intriguing journey. Not only is her original script a carefully crafted and fascinating exploration of this little-known saga, but also, thanks to her beautiful singing voice, the show comprises a virtual smorgasbord of wonderful songs associated with Kirkwood, and skilfully inserted in this production to gently guide the advancing plot’ The People’s Critic

‘Walker, a powerful soprano with a commanding stage presence and a piercing intelligence, rivets one’s attention… If Pat Kirkwood is angry, she is never dull, not even for a minute, and Walker’s show casts a fascinating light on an underappreciated talent’ Lighting&Sound America

‘Walker has a stunning voice that she knows exactly how to use… Walker delivers the goods musically speaking… Guess Who I Saw Today by Murray Grand and Elisse Boyd– a song that is over performed and often bludgeoned – is delivered with such simplicity that your heart cracks into a bazillion little pieces on the spot. And her Begin The Beguine is steeped in pathos so deep you can feel it all the way down to your toes. Walker weaves serious magic when she sings’ Front Row Center