Top Hat

Top Hat

“Top Hat” is one of the best known movie musicals of all so when a stage version appears at theatres across the country it is bound to turn many heads. This is exactly what happened when Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen led the cast in a UK tour in 2011 and this production is now set for big things in the West End as it casts its sights on the Aldwych Theatre in 2012. Martin Ball, Vivien Parry, Ricardo Afonso and Stephen Boswell are also set to appear and it will introduce new audiences to the story of Jerry Travers in London’s West End – a role made famous by Fred Astaire back in 1935.

The movie was originally directed by Mark Sandrich with songs by Irving Berlin and appeared in front of audiences in 1935. It proved to be one of the most successful movies for Fred Astaire in what was an illustrious career and has become a cultural landmark, not only receiving positive reviews at the time but also standing the test of time during the 20th century and being referenced in movies and television shows. In particular, the songs by Irving Berlin are fondly remembered by fans worldwide.

The plot focuses on an American dancer named Jerry Travers, who arrives in the capital to appear in a London theatre show produced by the well known Horace Hardwick. Upon his arrival he meets a woman by the name of Dale Tremond and he is quick to make a move on her and make his feelings clear. But “Top Hat” is a screwball comedy and that being the case she mistakes him for Hardwick, who is married to one of her close friends, and she is horrified by his advances, leading to a series of farcical events.

The cast is made up of names well known from the stage and the screen, with Tom Chambers best known for the likes of “Holby City” and “Waterloo Road”. Summer Strallen, meanwhile, has appeared in West End shows like “Love Never Dies” at the Adelphi Theatre and “The Sound of Music” at the London Palladium, with “Hollyoaks” acting as one of her screen roles.

“Top Hat” is set to appear at the Aldwych Theatre, following the likes of “Cool Hand Luke” and “A Round-Heeled Woman”, from Wednesday 9th May 2012 (previews from Thursday 19th April 2012) to Saturday 26th January 2013.

Venue Information and Directions

Aldwych Theatre
49 Aldwych
London
WC2B 4DF

Seating Plan

Directions

Directions
Take the Piccadilly Line to Covent Garden, exit into the Covent Garden Piazza and theatre is approximately a 5-10 minute walk.