Casper & Irish Dance Delay Openings

Two shows due to open in the West End over the next month have delayed their openings for undisclosed reasons. Dancing on Dangerous Ground , the Irish dance extravaganza originally scheduled to open on 30 November, has postponed its opening by six days while Casper the Musical, scheduled for 8 December 1999, has postponed by five days.

Former Riverdance stars Jean Butler and Colin Dunne lead a company of 30 dancers, actors and musicians in Dancing on Dangerous Ground, based on an ancient Irish myth. The two worked together for two years devising and choreographing the show which is designed specifically for a theatre, as opposed to larger concert venues. Dancing on Dangerous Ground is directed by Ian Judge with music by Seamus Egan, set design by Tim Hatley and costumes by Frank Gardiner. It will now open at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on 6 December following previews from 30 November.

David H Bell directs the new musical version of Casper the Friendly Ghost, the spook who prefers to help people rather than haunt them. Casper has been a children's favourite since he was first created by Joseph Oriolo in 1945. The character has featured in many television cartoon series as well as in Steven Spielberg's 1995 full length Hollywood film. Bell, who co-wrote and directed The Hot Mikado at the Queen's Theatre in 1995, has also written the book and lyrics for Casper the Musical, with music provided by Henry Marsh and Phil Pickett. The production will now open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13 December, following previews from 4 December.

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