South Pacific

Synopsis

The Lincoln Center's revival of South Pacific transfers to the Barbican Centre from 23 August (previews from 15 August 2011) for a seven-week season to 1 October, The production which reinvented this classic musical, won 7 Tony Awards, sold out on Broadway for 2 years and is currently selling out across America.

Set during World War II, the South Pacific musical is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences.

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the South Pacific songs include Some Enchanted Evening, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and There is Nothin' Like a Dame.

EastEnders star Samantha Womack returns to the stage for the first time since Michael Grandage's 2005 production of Guys and Dolls playing nurse Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. her previous stage credits include Peter Hall's Betrayal, and Up 'n' Under written and directed by John Godber as well as extensive television work.

Tony Award winner Paulo Szot reprises his Broadway performance as Emile de Becque. The Brazilian operatic baritone made his Broadway debut in Bartlett Sher's Lincoln Center production, and visits London professionally for the first time with South Pacific. Szot alternates with Welsh National Opera's Jason Howard who take the role from 29 August to 21 September.

Bartlett Sher won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his direction of South Pacific, which went on to win six other Tony Awards.

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Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 24 August 2011

This revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic 1949 musical South Pacific was a very big deal on Broadway three years ago: the first since the original, and a multiple Tony award winner. Some interested parties, such as, well, the Rodgers and Hammerstein organisation, say this is the best revival ever.

Hmm, well, not sure about that. Bartlett Sher’s Lincoln Center production is sharp and sassy, beautifully designed with lots of slatted blinds and oceanic views by Michael Yeargen, and comes with two of its Broadway stars, operatic baritone Paulo Szot as Emile, the French plantation owner, escaping his past, and Loretta Ables Sayre as a bulldog, bustling Bloody Mary, the native siren of Bali Ha’i, planning a future for her daughter with the handsome American lieutenant Cable.

But best ever? No way, I’m afraid, with Samantha Womack, best known as a barmaid in EastEnders, as a low-key Nellie Forbush, the Navy nurse from Little Rock who w...

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Latest User Review

Jessie - 28 October 2011:

This ia an amazing show!!! Please go and watch it!! You will laugh and cry!! Stars of the show Jason Howard, Alex Ferns Loretta Ables Sayre and Finton Flynn Samantha Womak is fantastic in gotta wah that man right out of hair!!! Thank you for wondeful entertainment!!!...

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