Saturday 27 July 2013

PIPE DREAM (Union Theatre) London Stage Premiere


Following the huge success of last year's all-male hit Pirates Of Penzance (winner of Best Off-West End Production) director Sasha Regan and choreographer Lizzi Gee have once again joined creative forces. This time for the London stage premiere of Pipe Dream - one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most overlooked pieces, almost 60 years after it's American premiere the production finally makes it to the London stage at the Union Theatre for a strictly limited period from 31st July - 31st August 2013.

This is a rare opportunity to see the seventh musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein which premiered on Broadway on 30th November 1955 at the Shubert Theatre where it received the largest advance ticket sales in Broadway history at that point $1.2 million. The production was nominated for 9 Tony Awards. Nowadays productions of this musical are extremely rare in America and now for the first time London audiences can experience Pipe Dream.

Original Playbill for the 1955 Broadway production starring Helen Traubel, 
William Johnson and Judy Tyler.

Inspired by "Cannery Row" and "Sweet Thursday" - the novels of John Steinbeck, the drifters and layabouts of Cannery Row are brought to life in this unlikely story of romance and hope set against the backdrop of a recovering America following the Second World War. After the success of classics such as Oklahoma! and Carousel, Rodgers and Hammerstein struck a new tone with Pipe Dream focussing on the outcasts and less fortunate members of society in their quest for a sense of belonging, acceptance and above all else, love.


The role of Doc will be played by Kieran Brown who most recently played the title role in the UK Premiere of Maury Yeston's Phantom (Ye Olde Rose & Crown, London). Other credits include Elphaba's Father and understudy for the Wizard and Doctor Dillamond in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), understudy for Raoul in Love Never Dies (Adelphi Theatre), Les Misérables (Palace Theatre) Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena). 

The role of Suzy will be played by Charlotte Scott who most recently understudied and played the part of Kathy Seldon in Singin In The Rain at the Palace Theatre. Other theatre credits include understudy Glinda in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), understudy for Janet in the UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show, understudy Serena, Lambchops and Mabel in Fame (UK Tour), understudy Ariel Moore and Wendy Jo in Footloose (UK Tour) and understudy for Jemima, Rumpleteazer and Jellylorum in Cats (UK and Italian Tours).

The production also stars Virge Gilhrist as Fauna.

The ensemble are David Hayden (Mack), Nick Martland (Hazel), Matt Parsons (Ray), Christopher Connor (Eddie), Shane Landers (Jim), Mitchell Jarvis (Johnny), John Hicks (Joe), Joshua Lovell (George), Georgie Burdett (Marjorie), Catherine Sagar (Mabel), Michaela Cartmell (Millicent), Rebecca Fennelly (Agnes), Clare Duffy (Girl) and Alexandra Lloyd-Hamilton (Emma). 


Find out more in the promotional video:


PIPE DREAM
Directed by Sasha Regan
Choreographed by Lizzi Gee
Musical Direction by Christopher Peake
Designed by Earl Rose Hughes
Lighting Design by Tim Deiling

Evening Performances: Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30pm 
Matinees: Saturday/Sunday at 2:30pm

Tickets are priced at £19.50 (£17.50 concessions). To book call the Union Theatre Box Office on 0207 261 9876 or click here to book online. 

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