Beautiful Little Fool - Southwark Playhouse Borough

The new musical Beautiful Little Fool follows 48-year-old Scottie Fitzgerald as she reflects on the lives—and legacies—of her infamous parents, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Having now lived longer than either of them did, Scottie looks back on their careers, their relationship, and the events that led to their untimely deaths, while also trying to make sense of her own childhood. The premise is incredibly exciting, opening the door to significant emotional depth and complex character exploration. While keeping in mind that this production runs at just 90 minutes, this reviewer found that the show largely delivers on its promise, despite some notable missteps.

One area where Beautiful Little Fool consistently excels is in its casting. With musical theatre legends David Hunter and Lauren Ward leading the company, expectations are naturally high—and they are more than met. Both performers deliver nuanced, committed performances that once again demonstrate their versatility and experience. Even when the material itself does not always fully support the emotional weight of the story being told, the cast works tirelessly to elevate it, giving the show as much impact as possible at this stage of its development.

Pamela Raith

The production values further enhance the experience. The set, lighting, and costume design reach the calibre of a West End production, which is particularly impressive given the intimate space of the Southwark Playhouse. The set is strikingly large without ever feeling overwhelming, while the costumes cleverly blend 1930s fashion with late-1960s styles, visually reinforcing the generational divide between Scottie and her parents. These design choices add clarity and polish, grounding the story firmly in its shifting time periods.

The soundtrack, written by Hannah Corneau, adopts a pop-rock style reminiscent of Next to Normal, creating an emotional distance between the music and the narrative. While this approach is occasionally effective, many of the songs rely on repetitive melodies and lyrics, ultimately doing little to advance the plot. One particular disappointment was the title song, which felt underwhelming despite a strong narrative setup in the book. That said, there are moments where the score truly shines. A standout number is ‘Built to Last’, sung later in the show during a vulnerable heart-to-heart between Zelda and Scottie. Beautifully performed by Amy Parker (covering the role of Zelda), the song lands its emotional beats while offering a genuinely memorable melody. Unfortunately, by the time this moment arrives, it feels as though the show has missed earlier opportunities to connect more deeply through its music. While the opening number is strong, there are too few musical moments that resonate with the same emotional impact.

Pamela Raith

It is worth keeping in mind that when fringe shows—particularly world premieres—are reviewed, they are not being measured against long-established West End productions. Instead, the aim is to assess whether, with further development, the show has the potential to succeed on a larger stage. Given that this is the first time Beautiful Little Fool has been presented to an audience, its imperfections are hardly surprising. What matters more is that it shows genuine promise. With refinement to its score and clearer musical storytelling, this production could grow into something truly special. And on a more personal note, how poetic would it be if two stories from the Fitzgerald family began their success stories at the Southwark Playhouse?

Overall, Beautiful Little Fool is a production with clear ambition, strong performances, and a compelling central premise, even if it does not yet fully realise its emotional or musical potential. As it stands, this is a thoughtfully staged and often engaging piece that feels very much like a work in progress rather than a finished product. With further development—particularly in refining the score and sharpening the musical storytelling—this show could grow into something far more impactful. For now, it earns a respectable three-star rating: a promising foundation that, with time and care, has every chance to thrive beyond the fringe.

Production Value: 50%

Value For Money: 65%

Personal Enjoyment: 65%

Overall Score: 60% - ⭐️⭐️⭐ (3*)

(AD | gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough, London

Playing until: 28th February 2026

Run Time: Approximately 1h35 (no interval)

Tickets for this show can be found at this link.