London Theatre Review: Songs for Nobodies at the Ambassadors Theatre

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Nestled in the gorgeous [Ambassadors Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/58/ambassadors-theatre.aspx) on West Street, the delightful *[Songs for Nobodies](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3308/songs-for-nobodies-tickets.aspx)* by Joanna Murray-Smith is playing for a limited run **until February 2019**.  Freshly transferred to the West End from a run at Wilton’s Music Hall, this one-woman show is directed by Simon Phillips with musical direction by Greg Arrowsmith and performed skilfully by **Bernadette Robinson**.


The play, a collection of melancholic brushes of unknown persons - our titular *Nobodies -* with five celebrity figures, sweeps through the stories and songs of iconic female singers from the twentieth century; Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas.  It is an episodic piece and unfolds in a **series of monologues and melodies that knit together** to give a whimsical look at how these seeming nobodies’ lives were touched by their personal encounters with these idols.     Bernadette Robinson shows great breadth and versatility, showcasing a range of accents and vocals that dazzle the audience and distract from the formulaic approach of each storyline. Where the script over-indulges in nostalgia, the music beautifully dovetails into the action and **Robinson’s gift for storytelling through song** provides a particularly touching delivery of well-known classics.   The direction is simple and delicate and works wonderfully with the intimate setting of the Ambassadors’ auditorium, so we feel we’re sharing a front room and cup of tea with the characters.  The play runs for 90 minutes without an interval and is a lovely setting in which to steal away from the busy streets of London and pass some time with a heart-warming trip down memory lane. * * * *Songs for Nobodies* is only playing at the [Ambassadors Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/58/ambassadors-theatre.aspx) through 23 February. [Book your *Songs for Nobodies* tickets](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3308/songs-for-nobodies-tickets.aspx) now to take a trip down memory lane and experience a brush with fame.

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By Laura Franek

Laura is an actor and writer based in South London