Photo Exclusive: South Pacific at the Barbican Theatre starring Samantha Womack and Paulo Szot

Exclusive production photos of South Pacific at the Barbican Theatre starring Samantha Womack and Paulo Szot.

This month sees the London opening of the acclaimed Lincoln Center production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. The show is directed by Bartlett Sher and plays at the Barbican Theatre until 1 October 2011.

TV and stage star Samantha Womack takes the lead role of Nellie Forbush in the production. Womack has starred in numerous stage and TV projects including Grease and Guys and Dolls in the West End and is currently playing Ronnie Branning in EastEnders.

The cast also includes a number of stars from Sher’s original Broadway production including Brazilian opera baritone Paulo Szot as plantation owner Emile De Becque and Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary. Daniel Koek, who has recently starred as Anatoly in Craig Revel Horwood’s touring production of Chess, will play Lt Cable.

The Lincoln Center Theater production is credited with breathing new life into this classic musical and won 7 Tony Awards and ran for 2 years on Broadway.

Set during World War II, South Pacific is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences. Songs include Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

With sets by Michael Yeargan and musical staging by Christopher Gattelli, the show feature a cast of 40 and a live orchestra of 25 and plays for only 7 weeks at the Barbican.

Photos by Roy Tan.

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More News on South Pacific

SAMANTHA WOMACK in South Pacific

EastEnders actress Samantha Womack stars in the Tony award-winning production of South Pacific

This summer Samantha Womack will play Nellie Forbush in the acclaimed Lincoln Center production of South Pacific.

The role marks a return to theatre by Samantha, whose previous stage credits include Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, Grease and the Donmar production in the West End of Guys and Dolls, playing Adelaide.

Her TV work includes playing Ronnie Branning in EastEnders, Babes in the Wood, Game On and recently featuring in Famous, Rich and in the Slums with Lenny Henry, Angela Rippon and Reggie Yates for Comic Relief.

Samantha Womack stars in the London transfer of the award-winning Lincoln Center production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, directed by Bartlett Sher. The show opens at the Barbican Theatre from 15 August 2011 and also stars Paulo Szot, Loretta Ables Sayre and Daniel Koek.

Book tickets to South Pacific at the Barbican Theatre in London

PAULO SZOT in South Pacific

Tony award-winning baritone Paulo Szot stars in South Pacific

Lucky London. Paulo Szot, who is one of the most exciting voices in international opera, will reprise his Tony award-winning performance as Emile de Becque in the Lincoln Center Theater’s production of South Pacific this summer.

He will be recreating the role of the French plantation owner at the Barbican Centre in London, where the production will run for a limited season of 7 weeks only from 15 August to 1 October.

Last year, Paulo made a triumphant Metropolitan Opera debut in their new production of Shostakovich’s The Nose. His appearances with the New York City Opera include L’Elisir d’Amore, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Carmen.

Paulo Szot stars in the London transfer of the award-winning Lincoln Center production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, directed by Bartlett Sher. The show opens at the Barbican Theatre from 15 August 2011 and also stars Samantha Womack, Loretta Ables Sayre and Daniel Koek.

Book tickets to South Pacific at the Barbican Theatre in London

LORETTA ABLES SAYRE in South Pacific

Loretta Ables Sayre reprises her acclaimed role of Bloody Mary in the Tony award-winning production of South Pacific

Loreta Ables Sayre’s previous credits include numerous theatre, concert, TV and voiceover work in her home state of Hawaii. Theatre includes You Somebody (Diamond Head Theatre), Effie in Dreamgirls (Hawaii Theatre), Song of the Navigator (Honolulu Theatre for Youth and US and Australia tour),

Concerts include the opening act for the Beach Boys, Kenny Loggins, James Brown and the Four Tops.

TV credits include Beyond the Break (Nickelodeon), North Shore (Fox), Hawaii (NBC), Baywatch Hawaii, Byrds of Paradise”(ABC), and the voice of PBS Hawaii.

Loretta Ables Sayre stars in the London transfer of the award-winning Lincoln Center production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, directed by Bartlett Sher. The show opens at the Barbican Theatre from 15 August 2011 and also stars Samantha Womack, Paulo Szot and Daniel Koek.

Book tickets to South Pacific at the Barbican Theatre in London

Samantha Womack And Paulo Szot To Star In The Most Acclaimed Production Ever Of Rodgers And Hammerstein’s South Pacific

WINNER OF SEVEN TONY AWARDS THE LINCOLN CENTER THEATER PRODUCTION OF “SOUTH PACIFIC” HAS ITS EUROPEAN PREMIERE AT THE BARBICAN CENTRE, LONDON OPENING ON 23 AUGUST BEFORE EMBARKING ON A NATIONWIDE TOUR

‘Rapturous and revelatory!’ New York Times
‘Gorgeous! SOUTH PACIFIC doesn’t just float; it soars!’ USA Today
‘The best Rodgers and Hammerstein in a generation’ Washington Post

Paulo Szot, who has recently emerged as one of the most exciting voices in opera and who won a Tony for his performance as Emile de Becque in the Lincoln Center Theater (Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) production of SOUTH PACIFIC, will be recreating the role of the French plantation owner at the Barbican Centre in London, where the production will run for a limited season of 7 weeks only from 15 August to 1 October, with an opening night on 23 August. Last year, Paulo made a triumphant Metropolitan Opera debut in their new production of Shostakovich’s The Nose. His appearances with the New York City Opera include L’Elisir d’Amore, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Carmen. He will be sharing the role of Emile with Welsh National Opera star Jason Howard.

Joining them will be Samantha Womack in the role of Nellie Forbush. This marks a return to theatre by Samantha. Her previous credits on stage include Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, and the Donmar production in the West End of Guys and Dolls (as Adelaide). Most recently, she was seen on BBC 1 in Famous, Rich and in the Slums with Lenny Henry, Angela Rippon and Reggie Yates for Comic Relief. Also starring in the Barbican run of SOUTH PACIFIC will be Daniel Koek, (following his acclaimed performance as Tony in the recent hit production of West Side Story), as Lt Joe Cable, Alex Ferns (Nathan Detroit in Donmar’s Guys and Dolls), as Luther Billis, and Loretta Ables Sayre reprising her Lincoln Center Tony-nominated performance of Bloody Mary.

Metropolitan Opera’s Bartlett Sher’s hailed production of SOUTH PACIFIC reinvented the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and played to sold-out houses on Broadway for two years and is currently selling out across North America. This was the first Broadway production the Rodgers & Hammerstein Estate had allowed to be staged since the musical originally opened in 1949 and ran for almost five years. Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Bali Ha’i, I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy, Younger than Springtime, Happy Talk and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

Set on a tropical island during World War II, this is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an unfamiliar culture in wartime remains as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences.
Featuring a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 25, this is a ravishing and breathtaking production, which is brought to the UK by the entire Lincoln Center creative team, led by director Bartlett Sher, with musical staging by Christopher Gattelli, sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Donald Holder, sound by Scott Lehrer, musical direction by Ted Sperling and original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett.

The nationwide tour opens on 12 October in Milton Keynes. Full details below.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of SOUTH PACIFIC is produced at the Barbican Centre and on tour by Bob Boyett, Bob Bartner, Howard Panter for the Ambassador Theatre Group, and Genesius Theatrical Productions in association with Promenade Productions.

For further details, please visit www.southpacificonstage.com.

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Venue: Barbican Theatre
Dates and times: Monday 15 August – Saturday 1 October, Mondays – Saturdays at 7.30pm, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm (not Thursday 18 August)
Performance dates for Paulo Szot & Jason Howard: Paulo Szot – 15-27 August, 22 September – 1 October; Jason Howard – 29 August – 21 September
Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Press performance: 23 August at 7.30pm
Tickets: £15-£85
Barbican box office: 0845 120 7550, open 10.00am–8.00pm Monday–Saturday; 11.00am–8.00pm Sundays and Bank Holidays; www.barbican.org.uk/bite

NATIONWIDE TOUR

12-22 October MILTON KEYNES THEATRE,
Mon – Sat 7.30pm www.ambassadortickets.com/miltonkeynes
Wed & Sat 2.30pm Box Office: 0844 871 7652

25 October- 5 November PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER
Mon – Sat 7.30pm www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk
Wed & Sat 2.30pm Box Office: 0844 847 2275

8-19 November THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW
Mon-Sat 7.30pm www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow
Thur & Sat 2.30pm Box Office: 0844 871 7647

22 November- 3 December BRISTOL HIPPODROME
Mon – Sat 7.30pm www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk
Wed & Sat 2.30pm Box Office: 0844 871 3012

6 December – 31 December NEW THEATRE OXFORD
Mon-Sat 7.30pm www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk
Tue, Wed & Sat 2.30pm Box Office: 0844 847 1585

17 January- 4 February THE MAYFLOWER, SOUTHAMPTON
Mon – Sat 7.30pm www.mayflower.org.uk
Thu & Sat 2.00pm Box Office: 02380 711811

Further dates to be announced.

Release issued by: Amanda Malpass Media

LINKS

Book tickets to South Pacific at the Barbican in London

Cast announced for South Pacific at the Barbican: Samantha Womack to star

Casting has been announced for the London transfer of the acclaimed Lincoln Center production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, directed by Bartlett Sher. The show will open at the Barbican Theatre from 15 August 2011.

TV and stage star Samantha Womack will take the lead role of Nellie Forbush in the production. Womack has starred in numerous stage and TV projects including Grease and Guys and Dolls in the West End and is currently playing Ronnie Branning in EastEnders.

The cast will also include a number of stars from Sher’s original Broadway production including Brazilian opera baritone Paulo Szot as plantation owner Emile De Becque and Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary. Daniel Koek, who has recently starred as Anatoly in Craig Revel Horwood’s touring production of Chess, will play Lt Cable.

The Lincoln Center Theater production is credited with breathing new life into this classic musical and won 7 Tony Awards and ran for 2 years on Broadway.

Set during World War II, South Pacific is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences. Songs include Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

With sets by Michael Yeargan and musical staging by Christopher Gattelli, the show feature a cast of 40 and a live orchestra of 25 and plays for only 7 weeks at the Barbican.

LINKS

Book tickets to South Pacific at the Barbican Theatre in London

Lincoln Center Theater Production of South Pacific at the Barbican on sale now

‘Rapturous and revelatory!’ New York Times

‘Gorgeous! SOUTH PACIFIC doesn’t just float; it soars!’ USA Today

‘The best Rodgers and Hammerstein in a generation’ Washington Post

Breathtaking and lavish, this Lincoln Center Theater production which reinvented the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, won seven Tony Awards in 2008, played to sold-out houses on Broadway for two years and is currently selling out across North America.

This international hit now has its European premiere at the Barbican. Tickets for the Barbican run, which plays from Monday 15 August – Saturday 1 October, go on sale today.

Set on a tropical island during World War II, this is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an unfamiliar culture in wartime remains as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences.

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

Featuring a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 25, this landmark production arrives at the Barbican for a strictly limited seven-week London season. South Pacific is directed by Bartlett Sher, Musical Staging is by Christopher Gattelli, Sets are by Michael Yeargan, Lighting is by Donald Holder, Costumes are by Catherine Zuber, Sound is by Scott Lehrer, Music Direction is by Ted Sperling and Original Orchestrations are by Robert Russell Bennett.

Release issued by: Barbican

LINKS

Book tickets to South Pacific at the Barbican in London

South Pacific tickets at the Barbican

Bartlett Sher’s Tony award-winning Lincoln Centre production of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical gets its European premiere this summer at the Barbican, featuring a cast of 40.

Lincoln Center Theater Production of South Pacific at the Barbican on sale now

‘Rapturous and revelatory!’ New York Times

‘Gorgeous! SOUTH PACIFIC doesn’t just float; it soars!’ USA Today

‘The best Rodgers and Hammerstein in a generation’ Washington Post

Breathtaking and lavish, this Lincoln Center Theater production which reinvented the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, won seven Tony Awards in 2008, played to sold-out houses on Broadway for two years and is currently selling out across North America.

This international hit now has its European premiere at the Barbican. Tickets for the Barbican run, which plays from Monday 15 August – Saturday 1 October, go on sale today.

Set on a tropical island during World War II, this is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an unfamiliar culture in wartime remains as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences.

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

Featuring a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 25, this landmark production arrives at the Barbican for a strictly limited seven-week London season. South Pacific is directed by Bartlett Sher, Musical Staging is by Christopher Gattelli, Sets are by Michael Yeargan, Lighting is by Donald Holder, Costumes are by Catherine Zuber, Sound is by Scott Lehrer, Music Direction is by Ted Sperling and Original Orchestrations are by Robert Russell Bennett.

Supported by American Airlines

Release issued by: Barbican press office

LINKS

Barbican website

OLIVIER AWARDS – Best Actor Winners

OLIVIER AWARDS – Best Actor Winners

Best Actor

2012 Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller for Frankenstein
2011 Roger Allam for Henry IV Parts 1 & 2
2010 Mark Rylance for Jerusalem
2009 Derek Jacobi for Twelfth Night
2008 Chiwetel Ejiofor in Othello
2007 Rufus Sewell for Rock ‘N’ Roll
2006 Brian Dennehy for Death Of A Salesman
2005 Richard Griffiths for The History Boys
2004 Matthew Kelly for Of Mice And Men
2003 Simon Russell Beale for Uncle Vanya
2002 Roger Allam for Privates On Parade
2001 Conleth Hill for Stones In His Pockets
2000 Henry Goodman for The Merchant Of Venice
1999 Kevin Spacey for The Iceman Cometh
1998 Ian Holm for King Lear
1997 Antony Sher for Stanley
1996 Alex Jennings for Peer Gynt
1995 David Bamber for My Night With Reg
1994 Mark Rylance for Much Ado About Nothing
1993 Robert Stephens for Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2)
1992 Nigel Hawthorne for The Madness Of George III
1991 Ian McKellen for Richard III
1989/90 Oliver Ford Davies for Racing Demon
1987 Michael Gambon for A View From The Bridge
1986 Albert Finney for Orphans
1985 Antony Sher for Richard III and Torch Song Trilogy

Actor of the Year in a New Play

1988 David Haig for Our Country’s Good
1984 Brian Cox for Rat In The Skull
1983 Jack Shepherd for Glengarry Glen Ross
1982 Ian McDiarmid for lnsignificance
1981 Trevor Eve for Children Of A Lesser God
1980 Roger Rees for Nicholas Nickleby
1979 Ian McKellen for Bent
1978 Tom Conti for Whose Life Is It Anyway?
1977 Michael Bryant for State Of Revolution
1976 Paul Copley for King And Country

Actor of the Year in a Revival

1988 Brian Cox for Titus Andronicus
1984 Ian McKellen for Wild Honey
1983 Derek Jacobi for Cyrano De Bergerac
1982 Stephen Moore for A Doll’s House
1981 Daniel Massey for Man And Superman
1980 Jonathan Pryce for Hamlet
1979 Warren Mitchell for Death Of A Salesman
1978 Alan Howard for Coriolanus
1977 Ian McKellen for Pillars Of The Community
1976 Alan Howard for Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2) and Henry V

Best Actor in a Musical

2012 Bertie Carvel for Matilda The Musical
2011 David Thaxton for Passion
2010 Aneurin Barnard for Spring Awakening
2009 Douglas Hodge for La Cage aux Folles
2008 Michael Ball for Hairspray
2007 Daniel Evans for Sunday In The Park With George
2006 James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower for Billy Elliot – The Musical
2005 Nathan Lane for The Producers
2004 David Bedella for Jerry Springer – The Opera
2003 Alex Jennings for My Fair Lady
2002 Philip Quast for South Pacific
2001 Daniel Evans for Merrily We Roll Along
2000 Simon Russell Beale for Candide
1999 The cast of Kat and The Kings
1998 Philip Quast for The Fix
1997 Robert Lindsay for Oliver!
1996 Adrian Lester for Company
1995 John Gordon Sinclair for She Loves Me
1994 Alun Armstrong for Sweeney Todd
1993 Henry Goodman for Assassins
1992 Alan Bennett for Talking Heads
1991 Philip Quast for Sunday In The Park With George
1989/90 Jonathan Pryce for Miss Saigon
1988 Con O’Neill for Blood Brothers
1987 John Bardon and Emil Wolk for Kiss Me Kate
1986 Michael Crawford for The Phantom Of The Opera
1985 Robert Lindsay for Me And My Girl
1984 Paul Clarkson for The Hired Man
1983 Denis Lawson for Mr. Cinders
1982 Roy Hudd for Underneath The Arches
1981 Michael Crawford for Barnum
1980 Denis Quilley for Sweeney Todd
1979 Anton Rodgers for Songbook