Imagine This - New London Theatre

SYNOPSIS

Imagine This

The New London Theatre on Drury Lane in the West End is the venue for the new musical entitled 'Imagine This'. Showing from 19 November 2008, and with previews from 4 November 2008, this piece of dramatic theatre from Glenn Berenbeim and David Goldsmith is an epic tale of love, hope and of how ordinary people become heroes when faced with making impossible choices under the Nazi regime in occupied Poland during World War II. A moving drama that is passionate, heart-warming and funny at times, Imagine This shows us the true spirit of humankind, and why there is always hope, no matter how severe the outlook.
 
Poland 1942

1942 - Poland is occupied by Nazi German forces. The Polish people live in the shadow of Hitler's 'Final Solution'. Yet in this dark period of world history the Polish spirit is alive and kicking - a spirit encapsulated by the upbeat performances of a group of actors in Warsaw's Ghetto. It is through these actors, whose stage plays bring laughter, hope and optimism to the masses, allowing their imagination to escape reality, that the story of Imagine This unfolds. This major new production from director Timothy Sheader demonstrates the sheer optimism and hope of ordinary people when confronted by an evil from which they cannot escape. And in the midst of it all, we see how love can blossom, even in the harshest and most dramatic of circumstances.

Birth of an epic West End Musical

Imagine This is a new piece of musical theatre with book and lyrics by Glenn Berenbeim and David Goldsmith. Glenn Berenbeim is an accomplished writer and producer. He has worked extensively on TV series, most notably the CBS Television series 'Touched by an Angel'. As writer and lyricist David Goldsmith is known for his work both on stage and screen. He has written scripts and arranged songs for many feature films, including Pepita, Thief of Always ands A Christmas Carol starring Tim Curry and Whoopi Goldberg.

In Imagine This Berenbeim and Goldsmith joined with Israeli music composer Shuki Levy to create the score for the new musical, which started out life in the UK at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2007. Timothy Sheader directed the Plymouth production, which was choreographed by Adam Cooper. The Theatre Royal Plymouth cast included Annette McLaughlin, who appeared in the hit musical Chicago, and Stephen Ashfield, previously of Jersey Boys.

For the new West End production of Imagine This, Timothy Sheader again directs. Liam Steel will choreograph the show at the New London Theatre, while Eugene Lee, who has created set designs for Wicked, Sweeney Todd and Candide, will create the visuals, transporting audiences back to the darkest hours of Poland in 1942.

Bookings for the Imagine This musical at the New London Theatre are being taken through to the end of February 2009. The New London Theatre has been dark since June 2008 when Gone with the Wind, the epic musical by Trevor Nunn, closed prematurely.