GYPSY, Starring Imelda Staunton, Opens Tonight in the West End

Imelda Staunton, who stars as the indomitable Momma Rose in the West End transfer of Jonathan Kent's production of GYPSY, is joined by Lara Pulver and Gemma Sutton, who reprise the roles of Louise and June respectively in the five star Chichester Festival Theatre production, while Peter Davison joins the cast to play Herbie.

The first production to be seen in London for forty years in a strictly limited season, GYPSY opens at the Savoy Theatre tonight 15 April 2015 and is produced in the West End by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

The cast also features Dan Burton as Tulsa, Billy Hartman as Uncle Jocko, Jack Chissick as Mr Goldstone, Anita Louise Combe as Tessie Tura, Harry Dickman as Pop, Lucinda Shaw as Mother,Roger Dipper as L.A., Louise Gold as Mazeppa, Clare Halse as Majorie May, Tom Hodgkins as Mr Weber, Kieran Jae as Yonkers, Julie Legrand as Electra, Danielle Morris as Geraldine, Luke Street as Little Rock, Damien Poole as Kansas, Lauren Hall as Delores and Natalie Woods as Agnes. Ensemble members include Liz Ewing, Lauren Ingram, Tom Murphy and Phillip Catchpole.

A musical fable with book by Arthur Laurents, Gypsy has music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, choreography by Stephen Mear, designs byAnthony Ward, musical direction and orchestration byNicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Mark Hendersonand sound by Paul Groothuis.

Gypsy is considered by many to be the greatest of the Broadway musicals. It tells the true story of ambitious showbiz mother Momma Rose, who treks across America with her daughters Baby June and Louise in search of success with their homespun vaudeville act. As times change, Momma Rose is forced to accept the demise of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque, as well as her daughters' quest for autonomy.

Gypsy reunites actor Imelda Staunton and director Jonathan Kent who previously collaborated on the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Sweeney Todd, which, after a sell-out run there, transferred to the West End. Kent also directed Staunton in Good Peoplefor Hampstead Theatre, which similarly transferred to the West End after a sell-out season in Hampstead.

Photo Credit: Johan Persson