State Fair

State Fair

State Fair

The Frakes are a farming family in the middle of America, but for three days they decide that they are going to enjoy the annual Iowa State Fair. So husband and wife Abel and Melissa Frake embark on the adventure with their son Wayne and daughter Margy, where they find romance, grand prizes and some surprising adventures at the annual event. Abel enjoys great success with his prize boar (Melissa earning some recognition as well), whilst both Wayne and Margy discover brand new romances that will turn their lives upside down. It shows that going to the State Fair can take them in whole new directions.

This feel-good story is the makeup of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein II movie musical State Fair, the stage version of which is making its way to Trafalgar Studios 2 as part of its 2010 season. For more than half a century it has been delighting audiences all over the world who, just like the Frakes onstage, have escaped from their own routines for an enjoyable experience.

The story was first set to paper by the American author Phil Stong in the 1930s, whose novel would not only become his most famous work, but also part of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s glorious back catalogue of musical hits. Though a movie appeared in the 1930s, it would be their 1945 classic that stood the test of time, popularising some timeless songs and eventually becoming a stage musical hit.
Songs like “It Might as Well be Spring”, “All I Owe Ioway” and “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” would earn the movie an Academy Award in the 1940s and when it reached the stage it would earn even further honours with Tony Awards and more. So expect some stand-out performances of songs like these, as well as “More Than Just a Friend” and “Next Time it Happens”.

So with a great line-up already blessing the stage of Trafalgar Studios 2, State Fair arrives to provide all the surprises and adventure that a musical theatregoer needs for a great time. The show has been a staple of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s back catalogue for more than half a century and will continue to entertain generations of musical fans way into the future.

State Fair is at Trafalgar Studios 2 from Thursday 5th August 2010 (previews from Tuesday 3rd August 2010) until Saturday 28th August 2010.