Gemma Sutton To Play Angel In THE RINK

Gemma Sutton will star as Angel, alongside Caroline O'Connor in the first London revival in 20 years of Kander and Ebb's THE RINK. The new production of THE RINK will play at Southwark Playhouse for a limited season from 25 May to 23 June 2018, with a national press night on Tuesday 29 May. Further casting to be announced.

Gemma most recently played Fran in Strictly Ballroom (West Yorkshire Playhouse & Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto) and Marian in The Go Between (Apollo Theatre, London). She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of both June and Louise in the West End production of Gypsy opposite Imelda Staunton (also June in the Chichester Festival Theatre production). Her other theatre credits include Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray (UK tour), Roxie Hart in Chicago (Curve Theatre, Leicester), Drunk (Leicester Curve Theatre and The Bridewell Theatre, London) and Enid/first cover Elle in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre, West End).

Anna, an Italian housewife who runs a roller-skating rink on the Eastern seaboard, is about to sell it to developers until her estranged daughter, Angel, returns after a long absence, hoping to save the rink and patch things up with her mother.

THE RINK originally premiered on Broadway on 9 February 1984, starring Chita Rivera as Anna and Liza Minelli as Angel. Rivera won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performance. The show premiered in London at the Cambridge Theatre on 17 February 1988, starring Josephine Blake and Diane Langton as Anna and Angel respectively.

THE RINK has a book by Tony Award-winning Terrence McNally (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Master Class). This new production is directed by Adam Lenson and choreographed by Fabian Aloise, with musical direction by Joe Bunker, set design by Bec Chippendale, costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Matt Daw, sound design by Mike Thacker and casting by Jacob Sparrow.

THE RINK is produced by Jack Maple and Brian Zeilinger, with associate producers Corey & Jessica Brunish, Stuart Burrows & Jonny Clines and Daniel G.Peterson.