All-male Pageant Transfers to Vaudeville

The new American musical Pageant, which is currently playing at the fringe The King's Head Theatre, is due to transfer to the West End's Vaudeville Theatre in August. An exact opening date has not yet been confirmed.

The musical takes place during an American beauty contest. British tap dancer and entertainer Lionel Blair plays competition emcee Frankie Cavalier who oversees the all-male Miss Glamouresse competition. Each night, it's down to the audience to decide who the svelte winner will be.

Cast members, playing the contestants, include recent West Side Story star Graham MacDuff (as Miss Texas), Miles Western (Miss West Coast), Dale Mercer (Miss Deep South), Leon Maurice-Jones (Miss Industrial North East), Michael Xavier (Miss Great Plains) and Eaton James (Miss Bible Belt).

Pageant received its European premiere at the King's Head in May where it has extended its run. The show ran for over a year off-Broadway and has also toured to numerous American cities.

The musical's book and lyrics are by Bill Russell (author of Side Show) and Frank Kelly with musical score by Albert Evans. Russell also directs, with design by Nigel Hook, costume by Gregg Barnes, musical direction by Elliot Davis and choreography by Warren Carlye. Russell's previous writing credits include Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, which transferred from the King's Head to the West End's Criterion Theatre in 1992.

Anthony Horowitz's poorly received thriller Mindgame, starring Simon Ward and Helen Hobson, is currently playing at the Vaudeville. It opened on 5 June, previews from 24 May, and had been booking to 16 September; it will now close early on 8 July 2000.

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