Frank Sinatra’s tempestuous marriage to Ava Gardner is the subject of Anthony Orme’s writing and directing debut. The topic is handled with respect and tenderness, and Orme’s work shows great promise for future endeavours. The audience sees Sinatra stumble into a bar and, through flashbacks, explain to the bartender how his marriage fell apart. The flashbacks are exquisitely performed by Matt Concannon and Holly Sumpton, but the storyline itself could afford to be developed. The cast sing songs on the “jukebox” – in reality Colm Molloy and Monika Valkunaite on the piano and saxophone respectively – including Billie Holiday’s classic ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man’. The only thing missing from this show is the velvet voice of Sinatra himself.

theSpace on the Mile, until 29 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Vicki Baron]