Horwood Celebrates Neil Diamond’s Brother Love

A musical celebration of singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show, will begin its nationwide tour in a specially adapted big top with a world premiere performance at Cheltenham Racecourse on 8 April 2011. The new show, which is directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood will star Brian Conley, Darren Day and Ben James-Ellis.

Featuring many of Diamond’s best loved hits including Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rose and Love on the Rocks the show, which is named after Diamond’s fourth album and its title track, promises to recreate the “flamboyance, sincerity and sense of fun” of the theatrical concerts for which Diamond is famous.

Brian Conley will front the show in the role of ever-zealous preacher Brother Love accompanied by a 15-strong big band and dressed in typically glamourous Diamond costumes. Conley recently appeared as Edna Turnblad in the West End production of Hairspray, and is joined in the cast by Darren Day and Ben James-Ellis.

Having sold over 115 million records sold worldwide, Diamond’s larger-than-life depiction of a travelling preacher in the title track of his fourth album meant the song itself quickly became an encore favourite in his concerts.

Launching from Cheltenham Racecourse on 8 April the national tour will also play dates at Leeds Castle, Maidstone; Beaulieu, Hampshire; Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire; Rockingham Castle, Leicester; Goodwood Racecourse, West Sussex finishing at the Royal Sandringham Estate, King’s Lynn on 22 May 2011.

Craig Revel Horwood‘s recent theatre credits include Hot Mikado, Sunset Boulevard which transferred to the Comedy Theatre and a new production of Chess which is currently on a national tour.

Set and costumes for Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show are designed by Matthew Wright. The show is devised by Malcolm Spencer who produces the tour with Andrew Welch.