LOCAL THEATRE COMPANY PUTTIN ON THE STYLE
Top Hat, winner of three Olivier Awards, for ‘Best New Musical’, ‘Best Choreography’ and ‘Best Costume Design’ from a total of seven nominations and winner of the Evening Standard Award for ‘Best Night Out’, is coming to Darlington Hippodrome presented by local amateur theatre company DarlingtonOS from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 13 April, 2019.
The world premiere stage production of Top Hat opened in the West End at the Aldwych Theatre on 9 May 2012 where it played over 600 performances during its run of nearly two years. Prior to its West End run, the production previously enjoyed a sell-out UK Tour in 2011.
Stepping into the shoes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the lead roles of Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont are Luke Oldield and Claire Monaghan. They are joined by Julian Cound who plays Horace Hardwick, Samantha Morrison as Madge Hardwick, Andrew Hamilton as Alberto Beddini and Christopher McCann as Horace’s valet, Bates.
Ensemble members are Neil Harland, Stacey Dobson, Hannah Gawthorpe, Lizzie Curwen, Tori McDougall, Sally Cresser, Scott Campbell, Joshua Ashton, Cameron Wallace, Kyra Batty, Zoe Bellamy, Ashleigh Bentham, Alison Brown, Jenny Davis, Caitlin Foster, Estelle Denison French, Eleanor Grainger, Camilla Morris Dowling, Cleo McNiff, Colette Serecchia, Susy Slater and Annika Tang.
Top Hat is directed and choreographed by Joanne Hand who fulfilled both roles in the recent smash hit Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and returning to the role of Musical Director is Nigel Ball who last worked with the company on Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Jerry Travers, a famous American theatre performer, arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont, the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart. Through a maze of mistaken identity their love affair blossoms but not before they encounter a few problems along the way.
Performed by a cast of 28 and accompanied by 15 live musicians, this multi award-winning musical comedy includes Irving Berlin classics from the movie such as Cheek to Cheek, Isn’t It a Lovely Day to be Caught in the Rain and Top Hat, White Tie and Tails. In addition, from Berlin’s 1200 strong back catalogue, a further ten numbers have been introduced including well-loved favourites Let’s Face the Music and Dance and Puttin’ On the Ritz.
Julian Cound, spokesman for DarlingtonOS told us “If you are a fan of classic musical theatre and TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing then you are going to love Top Hat. Under the direction of Joanne Hand the show will look amazing and, under Nigel Ball’s baton it will sound amazing too.”
Top Hat runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 13 April. Thursday 11 April is a BSL interpreted performance and both Friday performances will be audio described.
To book call the Ticket Hotline on 01325 244659 or book online at www.darlingtonos.org.uk