FUNNY GIRL, Starring Natasha J Barnes and Darius Campbell, to Play The Marlowe This May

West End leading lady Natasha J Barnes and recording artist Darius Campbell lead the cast of Funny Girl at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, in May.

The pair will be reprising their roles from the critically-acclaimed and record-breaking sold-out runs at London's Menier Chocolate Factory and Savoy Theatre.

Funny Girl brought global fame to Barbra Streisand 50 years ago and boasts some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including People and Don't Rain On My Parade. The musical tells the story of Fanny Brice, whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star.

Natasha J Barnes plays Fanny Brice. She was the understudy for SheriDan Smith at the Savoy, and famously stepped in at short notice when Sheridan had to leave. Natasha's most recent role was in the all-star Cinderella at the London Palladium. Her other theatre work includes American Idiot (Arts Theatre), The Boy Who Fell Into a Book (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Chess (Union Theatre), Snow White (Old Vic Theatre and tour), Come Dancing, I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Lend Me A Tenor (Gielgud Theatre) and Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith and Novello Theatre).

Following runs at the Menier and in the West End, Darius Campbell returns to play Nick Arnstein. His theatre work includes in the West End, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Gone with the Wind, and From Here to Eternity; Carmen (Europe and 02) and The History of the Big Bands (tour). Also a recording artist, his first single Colourblind went to number one in the UK singles chart.

Natasha and Darius are joined by Nigel Barber (Florenz Ziegfeld), Zoë Ann Bown (Mrs. Meeker), Martin Callaghan (Mr. Keeney), Jennifer Harding (Emma), Rachel Izen (Mrs Brice), Joshua Lay (Eddie) and Myra Sands (Mrs. Strakosh); with Rhianne Alleyne, Kit Benjamin, Lloyd Davies, Flora Dawson, Joseph Dockree, Abigayle Honeywill, Brontë Lavine, David Mcintosh, Peter Nash, Gillian Parkhouse, Tom Partridge, Nova Skipp, Alexandra Waite-Roberts, Sam Wingfield and Alexandra Wright.

Director Michael Mayer has West End and Broadway credits to his name (including Thoroughly Modern Millie, which played in London and New York and in the latter, won the Drama Desk Award for Best Direction of a Musical), along with film, TV and opera.

Funny Girl is at The Marlowe Theatre from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 May at 7.30pm and 2.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets, priced from £28.50 to £47.50 (concessions available; booking fee applies), are from the Box Office on 01227 787787, and marlowetheatre.com. There will be a British Sign Language-interpreted performance at 7.30pm on Thursday 4 May, and an audio described performance at 2.30pm on Saturday 6 May.

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