Full cast announced for Southwark’s Victor/Victoria starring Anna Francolini
Full casting has been announced for the Southwark Playhouse’s forthcoming revival of 1995 Broadway musical comedy Victor/Victoria, which opens in November starring Anna Francolini in the twin title roles.
Joining Francolini in the cast are: Michael Cotton, Mark Curry, Matthew Cutts, Richard Dempsey, Dafydd Gwyn Howells, Luke Johnson, Natalie Kent, Ashley Knight, Amira Matthews, Kate Nelson, Matthew Pennington, Jean Perkins, Kayleigh Ross and Nick Stuart.
Based on the 1982 Julie Andrews/Blake Edwards Hollywood movie, Victor/Victoria has a book by Blake Edwards, music by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and additional musical material (music and lyrics) by Frank Wildhorn.
Andrews (who famously refused her Tony nomination), Liza Minnelli and Raquel Welch all starred as Victor/Victoria on Broadway, where the show ran for more than 700 performances, though it never transferred to the West End.
The action is set in Paris in the 1930s. Victoria, a penniless, starving British soprano with an amazing vocal range, is rescued by Toddy, a performer at night club Chez Lui, who comes up with the crazy idea to disguise her as a man called Count Victor Grazinski and become the toast of Gay Paree as the world’s greatest female impersonator. But things get complicated when King Marchand, an American mobster from Chicago and very straight, sees the celebrated act and finds himself strangely attracted to Victor.
Richard Dempsey (Toddy) has just played Cambridge in Henry
V and Hermione in The Winter’s Tale for
Propellor on a world tour. New Zealander Matthew Cutts (King
Marchand), has had featured roles in several major West End musicals,
including Rusty and Greaseball in Starlight Express.
Former
Blue Peter presenter Mark Curry recently starred
in the revival of Victoria Wood’s Talent at the
Menier Chocolate Factory.
The Southwark Playhouse’s Vault seating is being configured for the production, with cabaret-style tables placed near the stage. According to press material, “The price of these reserved cabaret seats will include a glass of champagne, and people sitting there will really feel part of the action in the night club Chez Lui where the the show is set.”
