Adrian Lester, Jason Manfordand Meow Meow will star in the Royal Albert Hall’s production of Guys and Dolls, which comes to the iconic London venue for three performances only in October.
This semi-staged version of the classic musical comedy, to be directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear, will also feature Joe Stilgoe,Clive Rowe– reprising his Olivier Award-winning role – and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Lucy Noble, Artistic Director at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “We’re delighted to announce our stellar cast for this very special, limited run of Guys and Dolls: Live in Concert, with the perfect musical-comedy brought to life by some of the finest talent in musical theatre.”
This sizzling, New York tale of gamblers, gangsters and nightclub singers – plus one missionary – features some of Broadway’s greatest show-stoppers, including ‘Luck Be a Lady’, ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’ and ‘My Time of Day’.
Adrian Lester, who stars as Sky Masterson, is best known for the BBC’s Hustleand his performance as Othello at the National Theatre in 2013, which won him Best Actor at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. His musical-theatre credits include Sweeney Todd (also at the National) and Sam Mendes’ production of Company, for which he won Best Actor at the Olivier Awards, at the Donmar Warehouse and in the West End.
He said:“It’s been a few years since I’ve been on stage and quite a few more since I’ve been in a musical, but singing at the Royal Albert Hall, backed by the Royal Philharmonic, is an opportunity too good to miss. I’m really looking forward to singing Sky Masterson as part of a great company.”
Jason Manford made his name as one of the UK’s leading stand-ups, before embarking on a theatrical career. A stage debut in Sweeney Todd, opposite Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, led to a starring role in The Producersand a year-long run in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He hosted the Olivier Awards at the Hall last year, and returns to the stage in the role of Nathan Detroit.
Miss Adelaide will be played by international cabaret star Meow Meow– who initiated the rôle of the Maîtresse in the Gielgud Theatre adaptation of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – while the supporting cast is headed by acclaimed jazz singer and pianist Joe Stilgoeas Benny Southstreet, and Clive Rowe, whose West End credits include The Ladykillers (the Gielgud) and Kiss Me, Kate(The Old Vic), reprising the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson for which he won an Olivier in 1997.
This unmissably feel-good show is presented by the Hall and Fiery Angel Entertainment, with musical direction from James McKeon and designs by Morgan Large.
Stephen Mear won Olivier Awards for his choreography on Mary Poppins(with Matthew Bourne) and Hello Dolly, and has been celebrated for his work on West End shows Singin’ in the Rain, Sweet Charityand the acclaimed revival of Gypsy, starring Imelda Staunton.
James McKeon’s credits include last year’s UK tour of Miss Saigon, Evitaat the Adelphi Theatre, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bangat the London Palladium. He was also the organist at the famous 25thanniversary Phantom of the Operaconcert at the Royal Albert Hall.
The work of acclaimed set-designer Morgan Largecan currently be seen in Ruthlessat the Arts Theatre, and Death Takes a Holidayat the Charing Cross Theatre. His previous credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof(Novello Theatre), Othello(Sheffield Crucible) and Room on the Broom(worldwide).
Though songs from the show have been performed at the Hall by artists including Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis, Jr., this is the first time Guys and Dollshas ever been presented in its entirety at the venue.
Tickets are on sale now, from http://www.royalalberthall.com
Source: Royal Albert Hall