Chichester’s Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton

Imelda Staunton stars as Mama Rose in Gypsy at Chichester Theatre

Imelda Staunton to play Mama Rose in Gypsy

Chichester Festival Theatre has released more details of their forthcoming revival of Broadway musical Gypsy.

Starring Imelda Staunton (Pride, Sweeney Todd, Harry Potter) as Mama Rose, Gypsy will be directed by Jonathan Kent, and runs at the Chichester Festival Theatre from 6 October to 8 November 2014.

Joining Imelda in the cast are Kevin Whately as Herbie, Gemma Sutton as June and Lara Pulver as Louise, plus Emily Carey and Georgia Pemberton who play Baby June, and Holly Hazelton and Ruby Bridle as Baby Louise.

Gypsy tells the story of the ultimate showbiz mother – Mama Rose (Imelda Staunton) – who treks across America with her daughters Baby June and Louise in search of success with their homespun vaudeville act. As times change, Mama Rose is forced to accept the demise of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque, as well as her daughters’ quest for autonomy.

Choreography is by Stephen Mear, with design by Anthony Ward, lighting design is by Mark Henderson, musical direction by Nicholas Skilbeck and sound design is by Paul Groothuis.

Gypsy features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee.

Chichester 2014 Season

Currently playing at Chichester is Guys and Dolls (21 September 2014), directed by Gordon Greenberg and with choreography by Carlos Acosta. The cast features Clare Foster as Sarah Brown, Jamie Parker as Sky Masterson, Peter Polycarpou as Nathan Detroit and Sophie Thompson as Miss Adelaide. Also currently playing is Richard Bean’s Pitcairn (until 20 September 2014).

Forthcoming productions include Taken At Midnight (26 September – 25 October 2014) by Mark Hayhurst which uncovers the harrowing true story of Hans Litten, a celebrated lawyer in 1930s Germany who famously put Hitler on the witness stand, and stars Penelope Wilton directed by Jonathan Church.

Also Dervla Kirwan stars in bittersweet romance Frankie & Johnny In The Clair De Lune (6 November – 6 December 2014) by Terrence McNally, Patricia Routledge stars in Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband (21 November – 13 December 2014) directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and a new adaptation of The Hundred and One Dalmatians (20 December 2014 – 3 January 2015) by Bryony Lavery directed by Dale Rooks.

MORE CAST INFO

Imelda Staunton plays Mama Rose. Theatre credits include Good People (Hampstead Theatre and West End), also directed by Jonathan Kent, the West End production of Entertaining Mr Sloane, Life x 3 (National Theatre and The Old Vic) and Guys and Dolls (National Theatre). Film credits include 2014’s Pride, the Harry Potter series and her award-winning performance in Vera Drake. Television credits include Psychoville and Cranford.

Lara Pulver plays Louise. She previously appeared at Chichester in Uncle Vanya. Other theatre credits include Parade (Donmar Warehouse) for which she received an Olivier Award nomination, Honk! (National Theatre) and Into The Woods (Royal Opera House). Television credits include Fleming, Sherlock, Robin Hood, True Blood and Spooks.

Kevin Whately plays Herbie. This role marks his Chichester debut, however he is familiar to many through popular screen roles in Lewis and Inspector Morse, as well as Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Theatre credits include the West End production of Twelve Angry Men.

Gemma Sutton plays June. Credits include Carousel, Blues in the Night and the forthcoming TV drama, Cilla.
The cast also features Dan Burton as Tulsa, Jimmy Chisholm as Uncle Jocko, Jack Chissick as Mr Goldstone, Anita Louise Combe as Tessie Tura, Harry Dickman as Pop, Roger Dipper as L.A, Louise Gold as Mazeppa, Clare Halse as Majorie May, Tom Hodgkins as Weber, Kieran Jae as Yonkers, Julie Legrand as Electra, Jane McMurtrie as Jaynee, Danielle Morris as Geraldine, Jack North as Little Rock, Damien Poole as Kansas, Lauren Varnham as Delores and Natalie Woods as Agnes.