We think you’d be hard pushed to find a show as elegant as TOP HAT THE MUSICAL and we’ve waited a long time for this show to come to town. In fact, it’s been 10 years since this Irving Berlin classic last toured the UK — and now, this Olivier Award-winning production is finally back.
Step into a world of elegance, romance, and dazzling dance as the golden age of Hollywood is brought to life on stage. Based on the classic 1935 film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Top Hat features some of Irving Berlin’s greatest songs, including Cheek to Cheek, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Top Hat, White Tie and Tails, and Puttin’ on the Ritz.
The story follows Broadway star Jerry Travers as he arrives in London and falls head over heels for model Dale Tremont. But a case of mistaken identity, a fiery Italian admirer, and an unexpected trip to Venice make the path to true love anything but smooth.
The UK & Ireland tour will see Phillip Attmore and Sally Ann Triplett reprise their roles. Playing Dale Tremont will be West End star Amara Okereke (My Fair Lady, The Choral).
Playing Horace Hardwick will be James Hume (Kiss Me Kate), who takes over from Clive Carter. However, Clive will appear in the London Christmas performances.
Other leading cast, who are reprising their Chichester Festival Theatre performances, include James Clyde (Matilda the Musical) as Bates and Alex Gibson-Giorgio (Mamma Mia!) as Alberto Beddini.
The touring cast is completed by Lindsay Atherton, Rhiannon Bacchus, Jeremy Batt, Freddie Clements, Pedro Donoso, Bethan Downing, Autumn Draper, Tilly Ducker, Maddie Harper, Stuart Hickey, Laura Hills, Connor Hughes, George Lyons, David McIntosh, Jordan Oliver, Emily Anne Potter, Joe Press, Molly Rees Howe, Kirsty Sparks and Toyan Thomas-Browne.
We do just want to give a little mention to Sally Ann. Not only is she a mighty fine, and highly accomplished stage performer but she has represented the UK not once, but twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. We have to honest, we have a bit of a guilty love for one of the songs.
Her first time around was in 1980 as the lead female vocals of the six-piece band Prima Donna. Prima Donna finished third with their pop-ballad “Love Enough for Two” but the song was a flop in the charts, and the group disbanded after their second single.
Two years later, she was back again, this time as part of a duo, Bardo. Their song, “One Step Further“, was a frantic pop number with a complex dance routine. The song finished seventh but they were robbed, we really love that song.Â
Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes), this brand-new UK tour brings all the glamour and charm of the golden age of Hollywood back to the stage for the first time in a decade.
TOP HAT THE MUSICAL is at the Wales Millennium Centre from this evening through to Saturday 15th November. Performances are at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. For more details and tickets, go HERE.
