She was the little girl with the big voice who would ‘sing in a phone-box for a lollipop’ given the chance, however, when opportunity did knock for nine-year-old Lena Zavaroni it didn’t just open the door to fame and fortune.
Thrust into every home in the country on Hughie Green’s 70’s TV talent search Opportunity Knocks, the daughter of Rothsay fish and chip shop owners Victor and Hilda Zavaroni attracted more than 20 million viewers a week as she appeared again and again, winning the show a record-breaking five times.
Away from her family, coached and ‘cared’ for by manager Dorothy Solomon, led the young Lena, lonely and lost, to control the only thing left that she could, her own body.
Her battle with anorexia nervosa, has been well documented over the years and brought about her untimely death at the age of just 35.
In Lena, by Tim Withnall, we meet the singer as she faces one last opportunity to save her failing health. Through flashbacks narrated by Hughie Green her story unfolds in words and songs, with the backing of a strident five strong band.
In this story of a stolen childhood, and a stolen life, Erin Armstrong’s vocals are every bit a match for the band and capture Zavaroni’s familiar growl and belt in a blistering rendition of Ma! (He’s Making Eyes At Me) that has the audience clapping along.
As Green, Jon Culshaw treads a fine line, fleshing out a character that could so easily be nothing more than an impression.
There are powerful turns too from the captivating Julie Coombe as Hilda, a pushy and afflicted mother living her own dreams through her daughter, and from Alan McHugh as Victor, a mild-mannered man out of his depth in the Machiavellian world of television and showbiz.
As Green says in his narration, every fairytale needs a monster and in Lena’s case there are many, her manager Dorothy Solomon being but one of them, Helen Logan is ruthless and quite compelling in the role.
The tragedy of one of Scotland’s best loved entertainers is handled sympathetically by Withnall whose script, directed tightly by Paul Hendy, proves a bittersweet yet strangely uplifting trip down memory lane.
This is a production with a huge heart and a simple message, be careful what you wish for, life’s not all roses and rainbows.
Until 28 Aug, 12:35pm www.EdFringe.com