Assembly, Edinburgh
Erin Armstrong performs well as the 70s Scottish singer Lena Zavaroni but the show’s structure distracts from her anguish
She had everything: fame, fortune and barrels of talent. She was even set to be “the greatest singing talent since Cher”, says her manager in this new drama. But like so many other child stars, 70s singing sensation Lena Zavaroni’s life led to tragedy.
In Tim Whitnall’s play with songs, we race through Zavaroni’s rise to the heights of celebrity, beginning with her appearance at the age of 10 on TV talent show Opportunity Knocks, and then to her death at the age of 35. It is a tale of anorexia, stolen childhood and sorrow, but there is an unshakable sense of detachment about this production, directed by Paul Hendy.
At the Assembly, Edinburgh, until 28 August
