South Pacific - casting announced
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
CASTING has been announced for the London transfer of the acclaimed Lincoln Center production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, which runs at the Barbican from August 15 to October 1, 2011.
Leading the cast will be Samantha Womack as Nellie Forbush and, from Bartlett Sher’s original Broadway production, Brazilian opera baritone Paulo Szot as plantation owner Emile De Becque.
Szot alternates with Welsh National Opera’s Jason Howard who takes the role from August 29 to September 21.
Although a familiar face on television – she is currently playing Ronnie Branning (nee Mitchell) in EastEnders – Womack has previously appeared on stage in Grease and Guys and Dolls.
Joining them in South Pacific will be Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary, also from the Broadway production and Daniel Koek, who recently starred as Anatoly in Craig Revel Horwood’s touring production of Chess, as Lt Cable.
Previously Posted: The Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific receives its European premiere at the Barbican, where it runs from Monday, August 15 to Saturday, October 1, 2011.
Set on a tropical island during World War II, South Pacific 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.
Directed by Bartlett Sher, the production features a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 25. Musical Staging is by Christopher Gattelli, sets by Michael Yeargan, lighting by Donald Holder, costumes by Catherine Zuber, sound by Scott Lehrer, music direction by Ted Sperling and original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett.
Described as 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.
Tickets: £15 – £85 – available from the box office on 0845 120 7550 or at www.barbican.org.uk/bite
Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes.
Also at the Barbican (March 2 to March 12) – The Sapphires, Australia’s hippest soul sisters, perform the Motown hits that defined a generation. Audiences can sing along to classics from soul legend Aretha Franklin (Respect), the chart-topping singles of The Supremes (Stop in the Name of Love), and Marvin Gaye’s signature song I Heard it Through the Grapevine.