Sunny Afternoon extends booking period
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
EVEN before opening in the West End on October 28, 2014 (previews from October 4), Hampstead Theatre’s Sunny Afternoon, a new musical exploring The Kinks’ rise to stardom, has extended its booking period at the Harold Pinter Theatre – until January 31, 2015.
The theatre will be re-configured for the run. In addition to a catwalk “thrusting out into the auditorium”, audiences will have the opportunity to watch the show from more than 60 seats at “cabaret-style tables” in the stalls.
The principal cast members (The Kinks) – John Dagleish (as Ray Davies), George Maguire (Dave Davies), Ned Derrington (Pete Quaife) and Adam Sopp (Mick Avory) – will reprise their roles in the West End.
Joining them will be Carly Anderson, Philip Bird, Ashley Campbell, Ben Caplan, Lillie Flynn, Emily Goodenough, Elizabeth Hill, Vince Leigh, Amy Ross, Dominic Tighe and Tam Williams.
Previously Posted: Following a sold-out run at Hampstead Theatre, the critically acclaimed production of Sunny Afternoon, a new musical exploring the rise to stardom of The Kinks, is transferring to the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre, where it plays from October 4 to November 29, 2014.
The Kinks exploded onto the 60’s music scene with a raw, energetic new sound that rocked a nation. But how did that happen, where exactly did they come from and what happened next?
Set against the back-drop of a Britain caught mid-swing between the conservative 50s and riotous 60s, Sunny Afternoon explores the euphoric highs and agonising lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands and the irresistible music that influenced generations.
Sunny Afternoon features many of the bands hits, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, All Day and All of the Night, Lola, Sunny Afternoon and many more.
Sunny Afternoon has music and lyrics by Ray Davies, a new book by Joe Penhall and direction by Edward Hall.
Ray Davies, co-founder and lead singer of The Kinks, is one of the great innovators of British rock music, and one of the country’s most distinctive songwriters.
Playwright and screenwriter Joe Penhall won the Olivier Award for Best New Play for Blue/Orange at The National Theatre. His other plays include Birthday and Haunted Child at The Royal Court. He has also written the screenplays for The Road and Enduring Love.
Edward Hall is Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, where his credits include the sell-out hits Chariots of Fire and Raving. He is also the Artistic Director of the award-winning company Propeller.
The Importance of Being Earnest, with a cast including Nigel Havers and Siân Phillips, continues at the Harold Pinter Theatre until September 20, 2014.