Despite five-star reviews, Show Boat closes five months early on 27 Aug

10 May
2016
Posted in: Theatre News
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Emmanuel Kojo and the cast of Show Boat

We are not happy. Last week, Mrs Henderson Presents announced its premature closure and now, just two weeks after opening to a new round of rave reviews, Daniel Evans Sheffield Crucible revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein classic SHOW BOAT has posted closing notices too. Having initially been booking at the New London Theatre until 7 January 2017, it will now finish more than five months earlier, on 27 August 2016. You gotta see this show before it closes. Promise us!

The limited season of Daniel Evans’ five-star Sheffield Crucible production of SHOW BOAT will now play its final West End performance on 27 August 2016. SHOW BOAT began West End previews at the New London Theatre on 9 April 2016, with opening night on 25 April 2016 after which Evans’ production was the recipient of a second set of five-star reviews. 

Producers David Ian, Bob Bartner and Norman Tulchin said: 

“We could not be more proud of Daniel’s production of SHOW BOAT. This first-class cast and creative team have delivered an exceptional production and we are delighted that London audiences have had the opportunity to see this five star show.”

One of the most romantic musicals of all time and set against the backdrop of America’s Deep South at the turn of the 20th Century, SHOW BOAT tells a powerful story of freedom, loyalty and, above all love. Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, this epic musical follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard the Cotton Blossom show boat as it plies the Mississippi River and features the timeless songs Ol’ Man River, Make Believe and Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.

Malcolm Sinclair (Capt. Andy Hawks) and Chris Peluso (Gaylord Ravenal) joined original Sheffield cast members Gina Beck (Magnolia Hawks), Lucy Briers (Parthy Ann Hawks), Rebecca Trehearn (Julia La Verne), Emmanuel Kojo (Joe), Sandra Marvin (Queenie), Alex Young (Ellie May Chipley) and Danny Collins (Frank Schultz) for the West End cast of Daniel Evans’ five star production of Show Boat.  They are joined by John Coates, Adam Dutton, Kit Esuruoso, Nolan Frederick, Linford Johnson, Javar La’Trail Parker, Kate Milner-Evans, Maria Omakinwa, Ryan PidgenMykal Rand, Leo Roberts, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Christina Bennington, Victoria Hinde, Linda John-Pierre and Simbi Akande, Georgie Ashford, Laura Darton, Joshua Da Costa, Dale Evans and Tom Partridge. 

Music is by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II based on the novel Show Boat by Edna Ferber. Designs are by Lez Brotherston with choreography by Alistair David, musical supervision and direction by David White, lighting by David Hersey, sound by Paul Groothuis and video design by Tim Reid.

This version of SHOW BOAT was originally produced by Goodspeed Musicals and was adapted and directed by Rob Ruggiero and presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.  The show’s Broadway premiere was in 1927.