Best of Friends (formerly The Golden Voice) - Landor Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
A NEW British musical, Best of Friends, with book, music and lyrics by Nick Fogarty, finally receives its London premiere at the Landor Theatre. Directed by the venue’s artistic director, Robert McWhir, it runs from Wednesday, April 23 to Saturday, May 10, 2014.
Music lovers Mike Chariot and Jim Ryan are brothers in every way but blood. In their 20s they used their passion to start a band, but after five years of trying they weren’t as successful as they’d hoped. When Mike goes out on a limb and enters a talent show, he has little time to celebrate his success, as it ultimately destroys all the major relationships in his life, including the band.
Now, after 20 years of not speaking, Mike returns to make amends, but will Jim – now entangled in the London underworld – accept a truce? Music brings people together but it can also tear them apart…
The cast includes Aidan O’Neill, Alex James Ellison, Nick Fogarty, Rosie Glossop, Sarah Goggin, Serena Giacomini and Dean Kilford.
Nick Fogarty, who spent eight years developing Best of Friends, has always worked in the music industry as a singer/song writer and latterly as an MD and vocal coach. Seven Senses, his second stage musical, will be staged later in 2014.
Best of Friends was due in London last year as The Golden Voice, starring Darren Day. Scheduled to open at the Arts Theatre, it was delayed multiple times before it was eventually cancelled. Actors’ union Equity then launched legal action in an attempt to claim back unpaid cast wages.
The show’s producer, Rob Hewitt, was recently arrested on suspicion of fraud and will not be involved in Best of Friends.
It is hoped that this new production will transfer to the Arts Theatre.
Presented by From the Fog Productions, Best of Friends has musical direction by Tom Turner and lighting by Richard Lambert.
Tickets: £19 – available from the box office on 020 7737 7276 or online at www.landortheatre.co.uk/.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.
Somewhere Under The Rainbow – The Liza Minnelli Story follows Best of Friends at the Landor Theatre.