Money to Burn Musical Reignites Taboo Venue, 9 OctDate: 31 July 2003
A new musical titled Money to Burn is set to re-open The Venue, formerly home to Boy George's Taboo. Written and directed by Daniel Abineri, Money to Burn receives its West End premiere on 9 October 2003, following previews from 29 September.
The story revolves around Lord Oliver Justin, a bad-boy aristocrat who's down on his luck. After losing a fortune on the roulette tables and incurring massive debts, his incredibly wealthy wife, Tiggy, refuses to fund him further. So Lord Oliver decides to take matters into his own hands and murder his wife.
Billed as part thriller, part farce, part satire, with a "twist in the tail", Money to Burn features 12 original songs in a 'jazz pop' style.
Writer/director Abineri is better known as an actor, having made television appearances in Bless Me Father and Return to Eden and performed in International Velvet and Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis on the big screen. His stage credits include a world tour of The Rocky Horror Show and Ben Elton's Popcorn in the West End.
The rest of the creative team for Money to Burn comprises musical director Simon Wallace, designer David Shields (The Hobbit) lighting designer Nick Richings and choreographer Michele Thorne. Siobham Hoolihan, Paul Savident and Parry produce.
The first new West End venue to be licensed for 70 years, The Venue is located in the crypt of Notre Dame Church off Leicester Square. A former dance hall and rehearsal space, it was reclaimed in January 2002 as a 320-seat performance space to host the world premiere of Boy George's Taboo and has been dark since the musical closed, ahead of its Broadway transfer, in April 2003.
- by Hannah Kennedy
