Review of ‘Buyer & Cellar’: “She’s such a funny girl”

Jonathan Tolins’s Off-Broadway hit lands on the London scene in a new, limited running production starring Rob Madge. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if its fairy tale plot puts too much “streiss” on itself.

People. People who need people are the luckiest people in the world… I like to think that it all started with a song. I may be wrong, though. After all, this play may have been written by the only gay man on earth who doesn’t like belting out loud old Broadway classics to a invisible audience sitting by his shower stage (well, invisible sometimes…).

But the same way this story is a complete fabrication, based on the assumptions about how the diva who built a shopping centre in her house’s cellar would behave behind the screen (not that there’s much room for imagination after learning that notion), I let my mind run wild as I picture the moment Jonathan Tolins came up with the idea of a play about Barbra Streisand’s new make-believe assistant. For clarification, the man is pretty much real, it’s the “I’m going out for groceries” (that means dolls and ice-cream…) concept that’s a bit far-fetched (please, don’t tell her I said that – she’ll be mad… both meanings…).

Moving on. Let’s take a trip down memory (take your face from the moonlight…) lane and even lower into Lady Streisand’s vaults, and meet Alex – a middle-aged man who, after a few unsuccessful professional jaunts, finally lands what may become the job of his life (I’ve already said what it is – retain information!). This may sound like the most queer-tensially premise you’ve ever heard. And by all means, it is. But trust me if I say that’s also not quite you may be expecting. And trust me even more if I tell you that’s actually good.

This is not a blind homage to the icon that inspired so many generations not to let anyone to rain on their parade. It pays tribute to her, but in the most intelligent of ways. One single actor (Rob Madge) takes the spotlight to express his surrealistic experience with the woman who would never be left in the dark. And after a slightly slow start, the magic begins to pour through in the same cathartic manner its protagonist finds the play where she belongs (I know what I’m saying…).

It’s genuinely hilarious. Flaunting a nice dose of wit, as well as superb recounting skills, all the elements in the narrative are perfectly weaved altogether, concocting an extremely absorbing account that secures the laughter all throughout, but also grants a few moments of poignancy and introspection. We care for this character as an individual. We feel for him – we engage with his journey and we want to be a part of it. And at the same time, we may also find ourselves falling for some of the one thousand others (it’s an exaggeration, but we all do it – especially on Grindr…) he so effortlessly manages to transform himself into.

Of course, a great deal of that accomplishment stems from Rob Madge’s quite enjoyable performance. Providing his part with charm and a discreet but anyhow solid presence, their interpretation, not only as the lead, but also as their personage’s boyfriend, colleagues and, eventually, THE LADY (no, not me – Miss Streisand) is absolutely flawless and, in the end, incredibly funny. Almost every possibility the script offers is taken and thoroughly exploited, while also including some additional traits of their own – creating a working symbiosis between writer and actor that makes the play speak by itself and to its audience.

Blissful, cunning and extremely amusing, Buyer and Cellar makes the highest bid by presenting us with a polished piece of entertainment that occasionally tip-toes the thought-provoking line. Developed under Kirk Jameson’s tasteful direction, with the highest praise on the creative side going to Jack Weir’s detailed and remarkably atmospheric lighting, the whole montage functions in complete harmony to convey a rendition that exudes strength, prowess and showmanship – boasting some hints of intelligence in its own form. It’s definitely worth a watch, and not that far from deserving a second row. And don’t hesitate to bring that little gang of yours. If they could see it now, their reaction will probably go from “What a build-up!” to “Holy cow!”.

Buyer and Cellar plays at London’s King’s Head Theatre until 19 October. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara