The Essence of Audrey, written and performed by Helen Anker, is like a discreet shout-out to the beloved star and her followers. Here there is no need to draw us in; we are already present and immersed in the character. Instantly, there is a rapport with the audience, who are responsive and alert.
Her humane and generous side is highlighted as she has shown up for charitable causes, but equally she has been a recipient of charity, and this, she says, probably saved her life. As a child, she had sent messages during the war and even fazed a soldier with a bunch of wild flowers.
Her aura, direct warmth and personality take us on a journey with detours and quiet acceleration at times, as she makes little snippets of commentary regarding finance, a belt that no longer fits, and being ‘a smoker’. She never loses us or steers away from us. Her performance captivates and is almost hypnotic.
Her own trauma from the Holocaust is handled with dignity and modesty. Rather than go into detail about this sufferance, she instead describes what she has witnessed more recently through her charity work and is clearly on a mission to make a difference.
Contrastingly, she embraces her film and stage career and yet maintains her need for peacefulness and quiet, stating she is actually an introvert. This required some tweaking in order for her to play Holly Golightly, who is an extrovert. But it is these small vignettes of information that give us the essence and taste of what Audrey was like.
A family person, it is clear that her blissful moments are with her family and two children, not forgetting her dog, Mr Famous, who she mourned.
Her voice is eerily similar, and we can hear the mix of European and British with that pronounced, accented change of tone and pace. Now and again, we are privy to some motion as she dances and acts out reminiscence with her dresses and gloves. She had attended ballet classes, and we can see the elegance, grace and swiftly coordinated movement.
The song ‘Moon River’ is sung exquisitely as she hesitantly brings her guitar for the ballad. She is poignant with a beautifully imperfect singing voice for this classic tune.
Helen Anker owns the stage in a subtle and measured way and presents Audrey to us in a grounded and realistic manner. She is likeable, amusing and very down to earth, sharing a series of faux pas with us, like when she won an Oscar and got muddled about receiving it. It is like gaining insight and perspective with this one-woman delight of a show. Audrey still shines on, through Helen Anker.
