USHERS: The Front of House Musical returns to the West End
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FOLLOWING a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe and two previous seasons at Charing Cross Theatre, USHERS: The Front of House Musical is transferring to the Arts Theatre for a 6-week season – from Wednesday, September 9 to Sunday, October 18, 2015.
Set in a West End theatre hosting the jukebox musical, Oops! I Did It Again, The Britney Spears Musical, USHERS: The Front of House Musical follows the lives of the stagiest people in the theatre – the front of house staff selling programmes, ice creams and tearing tickets.
Over one working shift, it portrays the hilarious, ridiculous and frequently moving stories of these youngsters who dare to dream… including a three-year workplace romance that is on the rocks, an untrained newbie working her first shift and the amorous manager who is under pressure to cut costs. What could possibly go wrong?
According to press material, USHERS: The Front of House Musical has big, bold company numbers, Fosse-like ice cream tray choreography and a script with heart, soul and an ice-bucket full of laughs.
USHERS: The Front of House Musical has a book by James Rottger, music by Yiannis Koutsakos and lyrics by James Oban and Yiannis Koutsakos.
The cast comprises Ben Fenner, Rory Maguire, Alexandra Parkes, Corrine Priest, Cameron Sharp and Harry Stone.
Produced by Matthew Cundy Productions and Kouban Productions, USHERS: The Front of House Musical is directed by Max Reynolds, with choreography by Russell Smith and musical direction by James Cleeve.
Tickets: Previews (Wednesday, September 9 to Sunday, September 13) £15; for all other performances: £15, £20, £25, £30; Front row day seats: £15. To book, call the box office on 020 7836 8463 or visit artstheatrewestend.co.uk/ or www.ushersmusical.co.uk/.
Times: Monday at 8pm; Tuesday and Wednesday at 3pm; Thursday no show; Friday at 3pm and 10.30pm; Saturday at 10.30pm and Sunday at 9pm.
Also at the Arts Theatre: Green Day’s award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot (extended until November 22) and Lovesong of the Electric Bear, the story of the man who cracked the Enigma Code (November 4 to November 21, 2015).