Fresh from a successful spring tour, people all around the UK have become dedicated followers of Carnaby Street and now it's set to continue swinging round the country when the 60's musical opens its autumn leg in Milton Keynes this September.
Set against the evocative backdrop of London's West End in the Sixties - its famous clubs, trend setting fashions and host of hippies and hipsters,Carnaby Street relives a time when the world was changing, London was its centre and for a new generation - anything was possible.
Inhabiting this world of mods, mini-skirts and mopeds, Carnaby Street tells the story of Jude - a working class boy from Liverpool - new to town, and armed with nothing but his guitar and his dreams of fame and fortune. Follow the highs and lows, the passion and heartbreak, of his journey in pursuit of stardom.
Featuring an era defining soundtrack, celebrating the most vibrant decade of the 20th Century, Carnaby Street is packed with over 30 solid gold hits including; Shout, My Generation, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, Sweets For My Sweet, Roll Over Beethoven, Go Now, Keep On Running, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Twist And Shout, 54321, We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Do You Love Me?, and many, many more.
With a book inspired by writer, producer and music industry legend Carl Leighton Pope's real life experiences he says; "In 1964 I was 18 years old. My father had a pub in Dean Street, Soho called The Crown and Two Chairman and I was an out of work actor. I worked five nights a week in the now iconic venue - The Marquee Club - the hottest club in London for new bands. The Who, The Yardbirds, Rod Stewart, Moody Blues and many more started their careers there in 1964.
"Being a mod meant I rode a Vespa scooter, bought my clothes in Carnaby Street and followed the cool bands of the time. The Who led the way. We fought on the beaches and lived for the weekends. Our whole lives were based around music. It told us who we were, who we hung around with, what girls we knew. What dances we did - in fact - our entire lifestyle. Soho was called the Square Mile, and that's where the 60's really began.
"My 40 years in the music business has given me many road stories, all of which, told with a drink are entertaining. There have been many suggestions about 'the book', but my intention was never to write one. The musical is my document, it is mildly autobiographical in that all that the characters were real people that I met during that time.
The songs are classic 60's hits and the fashion and the colour gave me my story. I didn't want it to be a song-led concert style musical, so the book, together with the music is the story I wanted to tell. It took 16 years to write. It was a real labour of love. Please enjoy it as much as I do."
Directed by Bob Tomson, whose West End credits include Blood Brothers and Dreamcoats and Petticoats, Designed by Matthew Wright (La Cage aux Folles, Evita), choreographed by Carole Todd (Dreamboats and Petticoats, Soul Sister), with Music Supervisor Colin Cattle, Lighting Design by Nick Richings and Sound Design by Ben Harrison, Carnaby Street the Musical is the feel good show that never fails to have audiences dancing in the aisles.
Eastenders' favourite Aaron Sidwell (Loserville, Children of Eden) re-joins the cast as Jack alongside Tricia Adele Turner (Legally Blonde, Blood Brothers) as Jane, Jonny Bower as Jack, Aimie Atkinson (Cannibal! The Musical, Dirty Dancing) and also features; Paul Hazel (Lily), Mark Pearce (Wild Thing), Hugo Harold-Harrison (Arnold), Greg Clarke (Al), Dan Smith (Tommy/MD), Mike Slader (Dave/Bass), Jake Buckley(Vic/Drums), Sandy Grigelis (Chris/Guitar), Katia Sartini (Phoebe), Jill Cardo (Alicia), Rachel Nottingham (Debs), Craig Anderson (Keith),James Winter (Mike/Sidney) and Claude Pelletier (Stuart).
A companion CD Carnaby Street featuring 50 swinging sixties songs from the musical is available now on Universal.
Tues 3rd - Sat 7th Sept
MILTON KEYNES, Keynes Theatre
box office: 0844 871 7652
website: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
Mon 9th - Sat 14th Sept
WOKING, New Victoria Theatre
box office: 0844 871 7645
website: www.atgtickets.com/woking
Tues 17th - Sat 21st Sept
SOUTHAMPTON, Mayflower Theatre
box office: 02380 711 811
website: www.mayflower.org.uk
Mon 23rd - Sat 28th Sept
WIMBLEDON, New Wimbledon Theatre
box office: 0844 871 7646
website: www.atgtickets.com/Wimbledon
Mon 30th - Sat 5th Sept
TORQUAY, Princess Theatre
box office: 0844 871 3023
website: atgtickets.com/torquay
Mon 7th - Sat 12th Oct
STOKE ON TRENT, Regent Theatre
box Office: 0844 871 7649
website: www.atgtickets.com
Mon 14th -Sat 19th Oct
BRIGHTON, Theatre Royal
box office: 0844 871 7650
website:www.atgtickets.com/theatre-royal-brighton
Tues 21st - Sat 26th Oct
SCARBOROUGH, Futurist Theatre
box Office: 01723 374 500
website: www.futuristtheatre.co.uk
Tues 29th Oct - Sat 2nd Nov
BRADFORD, Alhambra Theatre
box office: 01274 432 000
website: www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
Mon 4th - Sat 9th Nov
GLASGOW, Kings Theatre
box office: 0844 871 7648
website: www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre
Mon 11th - Sat 16th Nov
SUNDERLAND, Empire Theatre
box office: 0844 847 2499
website: www.sunderlandempire.org.uk
Mon 18th - Sat 23rd Nov
MALVERN, Festival Theatre
box office: 01684 892 277
website: www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
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