Cunard Announces the New Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company

When Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth enters service in October 2010, the line will introduce an original concept in theatrical entertainment at sea with the newly formed Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company. Guests will enjoy a brand new repertoire of shows premiered by the Company's 29 singers, dancers, actors and musicians, including the hit 'Slice of Saturday Night', a popular nostalgic pastiche of 1960s music which has been staged in London and toured extensively throughout the UK and US. Adapted especially for the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company by its original writers, The Heather Brothers, 'Slice of Saturday Night' features all of the Theatre Company members, the largest production show that Cunard has ever staged.

Performing in the ship's stunning Royal Court Theatre, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company will present a variety of musical productions and abridged versions of popular plays such as a Neil Simon triple bill and Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'. The Simon show will feature three scenes, one each from some of the playwright's best-loved shows - 'Last of the Red Hot Lovers', 'Plaza Suite' and 'The Odd Couple' - each linked by their setting: an apartment or hotel suite. At the conclusion of each show, the audience is given the opportunity for an informal Q&A session with the actors.

 

'The Piccadilly Line', featuring the talents of the entire
Theatre Company, explores the spoken word, song and prose as characters get
on and off a train journey on the world's oldest underground rail system. The
action is set in the shell of a London tube train carriage.

 

'Hotel Royale' is a musical production featuring 16 singers
and dancers who whimsically bring to life the story of a hotel which is past
its prime - once the playground of the rich and famous, it is now home to
some quirky staff and unusual guests.

 

'Sing', a lively production based on the popularity of
'Singers in Concert' performed on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, features
21 live musicians and four singers on stage, and creates a dynamic,
audience-pleasing atmosphere in The Royal Court Theatre from the very first
note. The show's influences are drawn from contemporary musical theatre, pop
and classic songs which will be very familiar to the audience.

 

Queen Elizabeth's guests will also be able to take part in a
specially written panel quiz show which will offer an afternoon of friendly
banter. Satire quiz shows such as 'Have I Got News for You' and 'QI' are very
popular and the Theatre Company will have its own take on topical news and
entertainment stories.

 

Peter Shanks, Cunard's President and Managing Director, says:

 

"The entertainment on Queen Elizabeth is the most extensive
ever seen on a Cunard liner, mixing tradition with satire. The Royal Court
Theatre is as good as any London West End or Broadway Theatre - and we have
created our own Theatre Company to really bring it to life. From the best of
Broadway to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night - we offer something for everybody".

 

BeLinda King, BeLinda King Creative Productions, adds:

 

"We are thrilled and honoured to be able to continue our
successful partnership with Cunard in providing the production shows for this
stunning new ship. With the creation of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company
we look forward to delighting Cunarders old and new with a wonderfully
entertaining selection of shows, now including original theatre productions
as well as established stage favourites. Once more Cunard is raising the
standard in onboard entertainment and we are proud to be working alongside
them!"

 

Queen Elizabeth continues the tradition of presenting Cunard's
Royal Nights with the debut of 'The Cunard Ball', 'London Swings', 'The
Starlight Ball' and the 'Elizabethan Ball'. 'London Swings' will be featured
on the same evening as 'Slice of Saturday Night', with its inspirations taken
from flower power and popular British 60s' icons such as Twiggy, Mary Quant,
and Carnaby Street.

 

In addition, Queen Elizabeth will offer Cunard's award-winning
Insights enrichment programme which introduces guests to stimulating experts
and accomplished academics. Through a series of lectures, Q&As, social
gatherings and workshops, guests connect with personalities who have achieved
distinction in areas including history, world affairs, science, arts and
literature. The Insights programme underscores Cunard's view that onboard
entertainment should afford guests a provocative and rewarding experience.

 

New for Queen Elizabeth will be the introduction of
Professional Insights, a series of expert workshops on diverse subjects
including antiques and auctions, sculpture, movie reviews, performance
poetry, and even weather forecasting.

 

Videos have now been uploaded onto YouTube and can be accessed
via:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTVKRqwseqE

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKmpZEeyu68&feature=channel

 

Further information on Queen Elizabeth can be obtained from
the minisite: http://queenelizabeth.cunard.com/

 

Show Overviews

 

'Slice of Saturday Night'

 

'Slice of Saturday Night' is the largest production show
Cunard has ever staged. This popular nostalgic pastiche of 1960s music, which
has toured extensively throughout the UK and US, has now been adapted
especially by its original writers for Queen Elizabeth's discerning guests.

 

'Piccadilly Line'

 

'The Piccadilly Line' explores the spoken word, song and prose
as characters get on and off a train journey on London's underground rail
systems, with all the action set in the shell of a tube train carriage.

 

'Hotel Royale'

 

'Hotel Royale' is a musical production featuring 16 singers
and dancers who whimsically bring to life the story of a hotel's faded glory
- once the playground of the rich and famous, it is now home to some quirky
staff and unusual guests.

 

'Sing'

 

'Sing' is a dynamic production based on the popularity of
'Singers in Concert' performed on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. Featuring
21 live musicians and four singers, the show's influences are drawn from
contemporary musical theatre, pop and classic songs which will be very
familiar to the audience.

 

'La Danza'

 

'La Danza' is a cutting edge dance production show casing the
virtuoso talents of our dance ensemble. Following in the footsteps of
'Apassionata' and 'Dance Passion', two hugely successful shows currently
running on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, 'La Danza' will delight guests
who enjoy cutting edge choreography performed by a truly talented performers.

 

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