West End Premiere of Memphis The Musical Starring Beverley Knight To Open At Shaftesbury Theatre
Posted on 23 February 2014
The West End premiere of Memphis The Musical is set to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre 23 October 2014, following previews from 9 October.
Memphis The Musical is based on a concept by George W. George, Memphis features a book & lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), and music & lyrics by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.
The musical won four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (Joe DiPietro), and Best Orchestrations (David Bryan and Daryl Waters). Beverley Knight is set to star in the production.
Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Memphis centres the lives of two unlikely heroes of the 1950's music scene: white radio disc jockey Huey Calhoon growing up in Memphis, Tennessee. An unlikely hero with a great love of the music he hears in the black bars on Beale Street, Huey’s on-air antics and unstoppable enthusiasm for "race records" creates a new white audience for African- American music. And a black singer (Knight) in Memphis whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of segregated clubs of 1950's.
When they meet sparks fly, and through their collaboration, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music - or their love - is put to the test.
Beverley Knight took over the role of Rachel Marron from Heather Headley in the musical production of The Bodyguard last September. The show marks the chart-topping soul singer's West End theatre debut. The Bodyguard is currently booking through 30 August. No announcement has been made about who will succeed Knight, but according to the Daily Mail, it may have to close in August, as the Adelphi Theatre is due to host Made in Dagenham, the premiere of a new stage musical version of the film of the same name. There is speculation that The Bodyguard could move to another theatre.
Cast and creative team have not yet been announced. However, further details of the Memphis The Musical London West End production will be announced shortly.
Memphis The Musical tickets on sale soon!
-Jacob Porteous
