Classic American musical Show Boat transfers to the West End
Daniel Evans critically acclaimed Sheffield Crucible Theatre production of classic American musical Show Boat will officially transfer to the West End’s New London Theatre following the departure of long running show War Horse.
Featuring such classic songs as Ol’ Man River, Make Believe, and Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man, Hammerstein and Kern’s classic American musical is based on Edna Ferbers famous novel and follows the lives of the performers, stagehands, and dock workers on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River show boat at the turn of the 20th Century.
Daniel Evans said: “Show Boat is often thought to be the mother of all musicals. Hammerstein and Kern’s score continues to blow audiences away, almost 90 years later. As well as being a riveting story, the piece’s themes of family and freedom still speak to us today in a profound way. I feel proud that the production we made in Sheffield will now get to travel further afield and be experienced by yet more audiences in the capital.”
David Ian who will produce Show Boat in the West End said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Daniel’s ground breaking production of Show Boat to the West End. As soon as I saw the production in Sheffield there was no doubt in my mind that we absolutely had to bring Show Boat in to London, giving West End audiences the opportunity to see this brand new version of such an incredible musical.”
Casting is yet to be confirmed, however it is assumed most of the Sheffield cast will transfer although not Michael Xavier who will be performing in Sunset Boulevard opposite Glenn Close.
Show Boat will run from 9 April 2016 to 7 Jan 2017 at the New London Theatre.
