Boogie back to the 1970s
The nation’s jukebox musical craze continues with
Boogie Nights. This year’s show also includes a father and son
theatrical first.
New jukebox musicals are springing up left, right and centre,
with Save the Last Dance For Me and Soul Sister both arriving with
a bang for theatre audiences in the last year.
See why the genre is such a hit with fans, as the original
jukebox musical, Boogie Nights, kicks off its next UK tour in the
county.
With 70 songs from the 1970s, the line up is among the show’s
best ever with the Osmonds, Gareth Gates, Louisa Lytton, Andy
Abraham and Chico all starring.
Conceived by
Jon Conway and Shane Richie in 1997, the heart-warming story
follows Roddy O’Neil, who lives in a provincial British town in the
height of the disco 1970s.
“I’m thrilled to once again be a part of the amazing energy of
this great show,” said Jimmy Osmond, who first appeared in the show
in 2004.
“My brothers, Merrill and Jay and I had so much fun on last
year’s tour, I’m excited they have agreed to join in on the fun and
continue the party. They are really looking forward to doing a
little something different than our usual concert appearances.”
After delighting audiences in pantomime at Canterbury’s Marlowe
Theatre this Christmas, Gareth Gattes has turned his attention to
the role of heartthrob Dean. Having starred in UK tours of Les
Misérables and Legally Blonde, the Pop Idol runner-up will have no
trouble belting out disco classics If You Leave Me Now, Disco
Inferno plus a cover of Donny Osmond’s Puppy Love.
“I’m really excited about getting back on stage to sing all the
hits from this era, as a lot of the tracks are personal favourites
of mine,” said Gareth.
“It’s going to be a fantastic show.”
Debs will be played by Louisa Lytton, best known for her time as
Ruby Allen in EastEnders and for her stint on Strictly Come Dancing
in 2006. This will be her musical debut, performing numbers like I
Will Survive and Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
Two people who are no strangers to giving big performances are
former X Factor contestants Andy Abraham and Chico. Andy will play
tough guy soul singer Spencer and perform Barry White classics such
as You’re My First, My Last, My Everything. Dancing on Ice finalist
Chico gets to bring his dance moves to Le Freak.
The all-star line up is completed by a theatrical first, when
Shane Richie Junior takes over the role of Roddy, created by his
EastEnders actor father. It is the first time a role created by an
actor has been inherited by his son and 22-year-old Shane Junior
will prove to be a real chip off the old block as he powers through
hits such as Blame It on the Boogie.
A cast of 15 musicians, singers and dancers will bring hits like
YMCA, Happy Days, We Are Family and Boogie Wonderland to the
stage.
Boogie Nights is at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre from
Thursday, January 31 to Saturday, February 2. Tickets £27.50 to
£35.50. Box office 01322 220000. It arrives at Folkestone’s Leas
Cliff Hall on Tuesday, March 12. Tickets £32.50 to £35.50. Box
office 0844 871 7627.
29/01/13
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