Jerry Springer Opera Thinks Big Beyond BAC???

Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee's Jerry Springer, The Opera, billed as a "trailer trash tragedy", has been creating a huge buzz down at the Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) in south London. The show started life at a "Scratch" development night for new work last May and has taken on cult status already. It's winds up a return three-week season at BAC this weekend, but bigger things are beckoning. During the current run, myriad celebrities and theatrical powers-that-be - including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh, Nicholas Hytner and Rocky Horror's Richard O'Brien - have been to see and rave about the show, which even has the blessing of the American talk show host himself. Offers for transfers to Edinburgh, New York and the West End have apparently been coming in thick and fast, but the team are looking for the right one. In any case, this looks to be a show with a big future - one to watch out for. The opera takes Springer from his studio to both heaven and hell, confronting some of his bizarre guests, including a Chick with a Dick and a diaper-wearing baritone, along the way. Jerry Springer, The Opera continues at the BAC until 23 February 2002.

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