Review: Lisa! The Mona Lisa Musical, Hen and Chickens Theatre

Whilst the Mona Lisa painting is world famous, its origin and the life of its subject are less well-known.  Lisa! The Mona Lisa Musical, produced by Jack Dalton and Xavier Fawcett, is a hugely entertaining blend of historical fact and fantasy adventure which explores this. The dual approach is cleverly set up from the beginning, as a historian host (Charlie Sharpe) explains the true-life theft of the painting from the Louvre art gallery in 1911, which the rest of the ensemble gleefully embellishes with fantastical enhancements.

We meet the passionate Lisa (Sophia Holmes) in early 1500s Italy, as her unappreciative husband Francesco (Jack Dalton) commissions artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci (Ed Ramsey) to paint her portrait. Lisa ponders whether her painting will gain notice in the future and is delighted to discover that da Vinci has invented a time machine. She and his disaffected apprentice Salai (Sharpe) travel forward to 1911 to discover that the painting is not widely known. So, they assemble a not-so-crack-team to temporarily steal it and build up interest; pickpocket Victorian Boy (Dalton) and strongman Vitruvian Man (Ramsey) cleverly bringing the four-armed drawing to life. A multitude of misadventures, including Pablo Picasso (Fawcett), awaits them. The inventive story features a range of creative musical numbers with witty lyrics by Fawcett, performed to Finlay Stafford’s enthusiastic piano score.  

As the fantastical time travel element suggests, there is a great sense of playfulness and humour present, with plenty of witty banter and sight gags; a sign stating the passage of time challenges the audience to do maths to work out the date setting. However, the story also has a lot of heart, with a thoughtful arc allowing each main character to develop from their experience. As directors, Fawcett and Holmes maintain a fast pace, with a good balance between dialogue and song, entertainment and deeper character moments. The multitude of songs seamlessly integrate into the plot and reflect the dual aspects of the show. Holmes and Sharpe have introspective ballads to build sympathy as their characters yearn for respect, whilst Dalton, Fawcett and Ramsey generate laughs with comedic numbers. Whilst one of the cast will lead a song, the others provide a backing chorus, often featuring well-choreographed dancing.

Fawcett’s script frequently introduces early references that cleverly set up a later development, and he incorporates true-life reflections on the painting. The debate over whether Lisa’s smile is happy or sad inspires a brilliant number where she is determined to smile by her own choice, not at her husband’s behest. For this centrepiece performance, the ensemble dances around the stage in 1920s cabaret style sequined tailcoats, complete with top hats and canes. 

The minimal set design allows maximum space for the energetic dancing and dashing around, especially during the exciting heist montage. A picture frame doubles as both a multitude of paintings that are re-enacted and also as the time machine, whilst other Louvre art is represented by drawings and the cast posing as statues. The ensemble wear appropriate shirts, trousers or dress for their main character, and utilise overlaying jumpsuits or other costumes to portray backing singers or side characters, often rapidly switching between them. There is also creative use of lighting to bring the attempted heist to life, throwing the stage into darkness whilst torches highlight the action. Scenes are often creatively supported by pre-recorded sound effects or dialogue.

This is an energetic and thoughtfully creative show, which both entertains and educates. It is performed with a clear passion by the talented cast and easily captivates the audience, who often clap along to the memorable songs.

Presented by We’re Gonna be a Dad Theatre Group
Directed by Xavier Fawcett
Assistant Director: Sophia Holmes
Produced by Jack Dalton and Xavier Fawcett
Book and Lyrics by Xavier Fawcett
Music Directed by Finlay Stafford
Music by Xavier Fawcett and Finlay Stafford

Lisa! The Mona Lisa Musical plays at Hen and Chickens Theatre until Sunday 18 May.