The Menier Chocolate Factory has given the West End some high profile productions in the past, the most recent of which was the phenomenal “La Cage Aux Folles”, which originally appeared at the venue before transferring to the Playhouse Theatre. It went on to feature the likes of Graham Norton (performing a number from the show for “Comic Relief”) and John Barrowman in lead roles and became a Theatreland hit.
So it is always good news to hear that another show will be making that leap from the Southwark venue to the West End in the form of “Sweet Charity” with Tamzin Outhwaite.
With the show set to open its doors in May 2010 it has already been given a long booking period that takes it to the New Year, so the producers have faith that this can go a long way in matching the success of “La Cage Aux Folles” in its new home.
Sweet Charity focuses on the character of Charity Hope Valentine (Outhwaite). She is a dancer for hire who is employed by the Times Square Dance Hall and like many people in New York her misfortunes in romance lead her to some unappealing situations. Charity is a gullible and guileless woman who inevitably hands her heart to all of the wrong men and pays dearly as a result.
Her plight is based on the Italian movie called “Nights of the Cabiria” in which Charity was even further down on her luck than her Manhattan counterpart, working as a prostate instead of a Times Square dancer.
The musical features a whole host of songs that were famously composed by Cy Coleman. They include the classic “Hey, Big Spender” as well as “If My Friends Could See Me Now”, “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This”, “Baby Dream Your Dream”, “The Rhythm of Life” and “I Love To Cry At Weddings”.
The star of the show Tamzin Outhwaite will be instantly recognisable to audience-goers for portraying Melanie Owen in the BBC flagship soap “EastEnders” until 2002. However, she has managed to impress in a wide range of productions, including stage shows like “Boeing Boeing” at the Comedy Theatre and television shows like “Vital Signs”, “Backwaters” and “Hotel Babylon”, plus the award-winning movie “Radio Cape Cod”.
Sweet Charity is at the Haymarket Theatre from Tuesday 4th May 2010 (previews from Friday 23rd April 2010) to Saturday 8th January 2011.
From Piccadilly Circus head southeast for Haymarket. The Theatre Royal is 150 m down on the left.
Rail: Charing Cross - Bakerloo line north/west to Piccadilly Circus
Kings Cross/St Pancras - Picadilly line south/west to Piccadilly Circus
Paddington - Bakerloo line south/east to Piccadilly Circus
Victoria - Victoria line north to Green Park, Picadilly line east/north to Piccadilly Circus
Liverpool Street - Central line west to Oxford Circus, Bakerloo line south/east to Piccadilly Circus
Marylebone - Bakerloo line east/south to Piccadilly Circus
Waterloo - Bakerloo line north/west to Piccadilly Circus
Parking: MasterPark Whitcomb Street. NCP Denman Street and Leicester Place. Parking in central London can be difficult and expensive. Please use public transport.
Access
Wheelchairs: No steps to auditorium through side exit doors. 1 wheelchair space and transfer seating available. Wheelchair users should be accompanied by a non-wheelchair using companion.
