Kern Goes to Hollywood

Synopsis

A celebration of the songs of Jerome Kern. This is the twentieth anniversary production of Kern Goes to Hollywood, which was originally performed in 1985 at The Donmar Warehouse in London and New York's Ritz Theatre. (Jerome Kern (1885-1945) is one of the most enduring composers of the last century. In a career spanning over forty years until his death at the age of sixty, Kern collaborated with such greats as Oscar Hammerstein, Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Fields and P. G. Wodehouse on shows including Roberta, Show Boat and Swing Time. Songs include I Won't Dance, Ol' Man River, Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man, Lovely To Look At, The Way You Look Tonight, The Last Time I Saw Paris, Remind Me, I've Told Every Little Star, A Fine Romance, The Song Is You .)

Our Review:

6 January 2005

Following his successes with Dorothy Fields Forever and Call Me Merman, director David Kernan returns to the King’s Head with another tribute to a Hollywood great, Jerome Kern. First performed at the Donmar Warehouse in 1985 (when it was nominated for an Olivier), Kern Goes to Hollywood remains a pleasing revue 20 years on.

The show, devised by Kernan and written by Dick Vosburgh, narrates the life of the New York composer, who was born in 1885 and, during an extensive career, collaborated with the likes of Oscar Hammerstein and PG Wodehouse on a range of film scores and musicals, probably the most famous of which was Show Boat.

Given the strength of Kern’s catalogue, it’s small wonder that each of the four singers in the cast - accompanied by Dominic Barlow (also musical director) on piano and Tom Mansi on bass - has a chance to shine.

At the end of Act One, the number amalgam...

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