Carousel - Savoy Theatre

SYNOPSIS

Carousel

London's Savoy Theatre is home to a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein II's 1945 classic musical - Carousel - from November 2008. The production, which features legendary British soprano, Lesley Garrett, arrives at the Savoy Theatre on the back of an early autumn UK tour. With numbers such as Carousel Waltz, June is Bustin' Out all Over and the timeless anthem You'll Never Walk Alone, this 2008 revival promises to be the most spectacular production yet of this timeless classic. Theatre ticket bookings for the musical are currently available through to the summer of 2009.

A bittersweet love affair

Carousel is a romantic tale set against the backdrop of newly industrialised New England during the 1870s, but with a tragic twist. The story centres on the bittersweet love affair between smooth-talking carousel worker Billy Bigelow and gentle-natured Julie Jordan, a female millworker who falls for Billy's charming ways. The musical sees the two develop a relationship, much to the ire of Mrs Mullins, the carousel owner. Billy and Julie are both fired from their jobs - and move in with Nettie, Julie's mother, who is played in this production by Lesley Garrett.

Unemployed, Billy descends into a life of crime as a way to support Julie and the child they are going to have. He takes part in a robbery attempt with a whaler friend, Jiggers. The robbery fails, and when cornered by the police, Billy takes his own life with his knife.

The scene shifts to Heaven's gate. There, Billy is told that he may only enter Heaven if he is to return and alleviate the misery he caused by his actions. Billy agrees and is sent back fifteen years after his suicide to make amends - and to quell the anger and lack of confidence that has risen in the daughter he never had a chance to see.

Carousel made its original debut on Broadway in 1945. The musical made its West End debut at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane in June 1950. In bringing it to the stage Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II adapted the storyline of Ferenc Molnar's 1909 play, Liliom, moving the setting from Budapest to New England. It was hailed by critics as an instant classic.

The 2008 production of Carousel
 
The 2008 revival of Carousel is a collaborative venture between Kim Poster of Stanhope Productions Ltd and director Lindsay Posner. Poster and Posner worked together on the highly successful 2007 production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Savoy Theatre. Posner's other credits include The Birthday Party, Fool For Love and The Hypochondriac. With Carousel the two reunite to create a memorable reproduction of the musical for today's audience.

Posner's choreographer for the 2008 production is Adam Cooper. Cooper is the former principal at the Royal Ballet and featured in Matthew Bourne's production of The Nutcracker. He has numerous choreography credits to his name also, including On Your Toes and Grand Hotel.