We were live on Facebook and Twitter at the press launch today (17 November 2016) for 42nd STREET, which high-kicks into the West End's Theatre Royal Drury Lane in March. Watch all our videos of the launch itself plus break-out interviews with stars Sheena Easton, Tom Lister, Bruce Montague, Norman Bowman, Jasna Ivir and Christopher Howell, plus director Mark Bramble. And loadsa live-tweeting! With thanks to our friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society and cameraman Lewis Snell. Be sure to get more social from 42nd STREET and all its cast on the show's #StageFaves page...
The main launch
Including speeches by producer Michael Linnit and director Mark Bramble on the show's history, formula for success and the significance of bringing it back to "its spiritual home" at the West End's Theatre Royal Drury Lane. And we get a first glimpse at "some" of the 54-strong cast - including dancing girls showing off their tights - and principals including Emmerdale star Tom Lister and Grammy Award-winning singer Sheena Easton, who both make their West End debuts in the production, which runs from20 March 2017, with a press night on 4 April.
Interviews - Tom Lister & Sheena Easton
In which Tom Lister talks about his West End dreams - and the pride of achieving them based on merit rather than his soap star status - and Sheena Easton speaks eloquently on the alignment of factors necessary for her to consider changing her life (moving back to the UK from Las Vegas), ageism and the expectations of playing a diva. Plus, what are Tom's favourite songs from the show (he named two - can you guess?) and will he or won't he sing a little sample for us????
Interviews - Director & other principals
In which director Mark Bramble talks about the prohibitive costs of mounting a production on this scale (and the advantage to using costume makers in India - a lot more beads for your buck) and shares anecdotes from a show replete with showbiz history. He's joined by Stuart Neal, Norman Bowman, Jasna Ivir and Christopher Howell.
Interviews - Bruce Montague, Jasna Ivir and Christopher Howell
In which Bruce Montague and Christopher Howell discuss their previous histories with 42nd STREET, Jasna Ivir hopes to keep her Drury Lane dressing room having spent the past several years in it while working on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and some possible confusion between lepers and leprechauns.
Interviews - Norman Bowman
In which Norman Bowman discusses moving from the four-strong cast of Murder Ballad to the fifty-four-strong cast of 42nd STREET, from a show with a dark heart to one full of joy... And the joys of having Christmas off with his family.
