REVIEW: GLORIOUS! @ THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR

🎭 Glorious!

📍 Theatre Royal Windsor, 32 Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS

🗓 Tuesday 17th March 2026

⭐️ 4 Stars

PITCH IMPERFECT!

Last night I was back at the lovely Theatre Royal Windsor to catch the 20th anniversary tour of GLORIOUS!, the true-ish story of the legendary Florence Foster Jenkins.

Now, if you don't know the story, Florence was an American socialite who became a cult sensation in the 1940s. Why? Because she was widely regarded as the world's worst opera singer - Timothée Chalamet would have loved her! The play follows her journey from private recitals to her final, legendary sell-out performance at Carnegie Hall.

Peter Quilter's script is undeniably strong and, at times, properly funny. It's packed with historical titbits, though I'll be honest - it occasionally feels a bit like a Wikipedia summary brought to life. Strangely, it omits her relationship with St. Clair Bayfield, the man who was her partner and manager for almost four decades. It's a bit of a head-scratcher of a choice, given how central he was to her world.

That said, the writing perfectly captures the spirit of a woman who, as Stephen Pile so poetically put it in his book about the iconic performer: "No one, before or since, has succeeded in liberating themselves quite so completely from the shackles of musical notation". It's such an accurate, beautiful way of describing her total lack of rhythm or pitch!

But let's get to the real reason to go: Wendi Peters. She is, quite simply, outstanding. She captures that deluded self-confidence with such warmth that you can't help but root for her. And the singing? It truly has to be heard to be believed! For a performer as vocally accomplished as Peters to "sing" that badly - with such conviction - is an incredible technical feat. She was 100% believable, and her performance alone is worth the price of the ticket.

She is brilliantly supported by Matthew James Morrison as her long-suffering but loyal accompanist Cosmé McMoon, who captures the perfect "what have I got myself into?" energy. Sioned Jones and Caroline Gruber also provide stellar support, rounding out a very capable cast.

Production images: Credit Chris Davis

The set and lighting designs here aren't over-complicated, but that simplicity actually really works for this production because it keeps the focus where it belongs: on the madness!

However, we have to talk about the sound. This is the one thing that truly lets the production down. The decision to not mic the actors was a massive mistake for a house this size. I was sitting in the stalls, yet I genuinely struggled to hear some of the dialogue. If someone in the audience coughed, it was a disaster, and there was absolutely no hope of hearing anything over the roars of laughter. Even during the big 'Queen of the Night' aria, Peters' great projection was fighting a losing battle as the piano began to drown her out.

This feels like a technical issue that desperately needs rectifying. It might work in a small, intimate fringe space, but for these larger touring venues, it just doesn't cut it. During interval conversations with fellow patrons, it was clearly evident that I wasn't the only person struggling with the sound.

Aside from the acoustic wobbles, this show is a total hoot. Go for Wendi, stay for the laughs, and just pray the person next to you doesn't have a tickly throat!

GLORIOUS! continues performances at Theatre Royal Windsor until Saturday 21st March. Click here to check availability and to book tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Glorious! was gifted by Kevin Wilson Public Relations who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Wendi Peters as Florence Foster Jenkins; Matthew James Morrison as Cosmé McMoon; Sioned Jones as Dorothy; Caroline Gruber as Maria / Mrs Verrinder Gedge

RUNNING TIME (approx):

1 hour 55 minutes, including interval

To keep up to date with all the latest theatre news and more, follow Pink Prince Theatre on social media.

Find us on Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky and TikTok.