I attended The Essence of Audrey, Helen Anker’s delightful biopic play, as a huge Audrey Hepburn fan along with a friend who knew nothing about her. Walking into the space, we are immediately greeted with a recreated version of Audrey Hepburn’s infamous Breakfast At Tiffany’s dress, along with several of the actress’ iconic items like her gloves and her cigarette holder.
Anker’s performance acts as both a way to satiate Audrey Hepburn lovers, giving the audience a chance to finish her sentences, and to tell a beautiful and romantic story to those who don’t know her. Both of us left with the feeling that we had something valuable we didn’t have before and with a vow to go watch Roman Holiday together.
Anker perfectly utilises the intimate setting, referring to her audience as having entered her house and watching her unfold her life story, touching on Audrey Hepburn’s life, her movies, her romances, and her passions. Her performance itself is clearly well-practised, her recreation of Audrey’s expressions, her timeless accent and delicate mannerisms have made it so that, thinking back to the show, I picture Audrey’s face, rather than hers
Anker’s unfolding of the story is sweet and gentle, told with a sincerity that feels like a wonderful understanding of the biopic. She both values Audrey’s story, doing her justice in a way that feels both respectable and honest, whilst simultaneously avoiding placing her on a pedestal. She refers to her — to Audrey’s — emotional responses in a way that fondly places her own interpretation into the narrative she tells without sensationalising or capitalising off her. It can be best described as a genuinely fond and loving interpretation. She chooses, notably, to emphasise Audrey’s charitable spirit and her devotion to UNICEF, encouraging the audience to donate to the same charity on their way out in a final moving gesture to keep the legacy going of an actress she so clearly loves.
Image provided to The Student by The Essence of Audrey.