Gershwin Returns to Albert Hall with Friedman

The show, a tribute to composer George Gershwin, enjoyed a sell-out season in 2008 and is returning in a revised production promising “more glitz and glamour than ever before”.

Choreographed by former Royal Ballet principal dancer Derek Deane, Strictly Gershwin features the 67 dancers of English National Ballet, a 50 piece jazz orchestra under the musical direction of Gareth Valentine and “Swarovski bejewelled costumes” by Roberta Guidi di Bagno.

The in-the-round production includes songs from Gershwin’s extensive repertoire including “Rhapsody in Blue”, “An American in Paris”, “Summertime”, “Shall We Dance”, “The Man I Love”, “Someone to Watch Over Me”, “’S Wonderful” and “Strike up the Band”.

The band will be joined by West End leading lady Maria Friedman, who starred in The King and I at the Albert Hall in 2009, and award-winning pianist Jonathan Scott.

Each performance will feature international guest stars including Royal Ballet principal Tamara Rojo, Stuttgart Ballet’s Friedemann Vogel, Guillaume Côté from the National Ballet of Canada and tap dancers Douglas Mills and Paul Robinson.