New Musical 'Imagine This' to Premiere at New London Theatre

Peter Polycarpou will play ‘Daniel Warshowsky’, the head of a family of actors, in the new musical “IMAGINE THIS”, which will have its premiere at the New London Theatre in the West End on Wednesday 19 November, following previews from 4 November.

Peter Polycarpou’s previous theatre work includes “All About My Mother” (Old Vic), “Oklahoma!” (Royal National Theatre and Lyceum Theatre), the title role in “The Phantom of the Opera” (Her Majesty’s Theatre), the role of John, which he created in the world premiere of “Miss Saigon” (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), and an original cast member of “Les Misérables”. On television, he is best known for his roles in “Sunburn” and “Birds of a Feather”, and his films include “De-Lovely” and “Evita”.

Playing Peter Polycarpou’s daughter, ‘Rebecca’, who falls in love with the mysterious stranger, ‘Adam’, will be Leila Benn-Harris, who most recently starred as ‘Christine’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Her other West End credits include “Fame” and “Evita”. Simon Gleeson will play the role of ‘Adam’. Simon recently finished his first feature film, “My Life in Ruins”, starring opposite Richard Dreyfuss, which is due for release in 2009. He has appeared in the soaps “Neighbours” and “EastEnders”, and his theatre work includes new plays with the Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian premieres of “Fame” and “Mamma Mia!” and “Southwark Fair” at the Royal National Theatre.

Also featured in “IMAGINE THIS” will be Bernard Lloyd as ‘Adolph’, Richard Cotton as ‘Blick’, Michael Matus as ‘Izzy’, Gary Milner as ‘Otto’, Steven Serlin as ‘Jan’, Sevan Stephan as ‘Max’, Sarah Ingram as ‘Sarah’ and Cameron Leigh as ‘Lola’. Also in the cast will be Rachael Archer, Marc Antolin, Stuart Boother, Emily Jane Boyle,  Oliver Brenin, Michael Camp, Joel Elferink, Bob Harms, Paul Iveson, Roy Litvin, Aoife Nally, Grant Neal, Darragh O’Leary, Vincent Pirillo, Philippa Stefani, Rebecca Sutherland, Carrie Sutton, Gemma Sutton, Lucy Thatcher and Michael Watson.

Set in Poland during 1942, a group of actors in the Warsaw Ghetto stage plays to inspire hope and optimism within their community.  However, with rumours of the Final Solution in the air, their play merges with the reality they are trying to escape and a dramatic love story unfolds.

“IMAGINE THIS” has music by Shuki Levy, lyrics by David Goldsmith and a book by Glenn Berenbeim. “IMAGINE THIS” will be directed by Timothy Sheader, the new artistic director of the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park. The scenic design is by Eugene Lee (triple Tony Award-winner for “Wicked”, “Sweeney Todd” and “Candide”) and the costume design is by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award-winner for “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”). The movement direction & choreography is by Liam Steel, best known for his work with Complicité, DV8 and Frantic Assembly. With lighting design by Tim Mitchell, orchestrations are by Chris Walker and musical supervision by Phil Bateman.

Performance times for “IMAGINE THIS” at the New London Theatre are Mondays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.  Tickets, priced from £17.50 - £60.00, with preview tickets from £7.50 - £50.00, are available from the New London Theatre Box Office on 0844 412 4654.

“IMAGINE THIS” will be produced in London by Beth Trachtenberg, Anita Mann, Leigh Mason, Jean Mason, FineFish Entertainment and ICW Productions in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Visit the “IMAGINE THIS” website at www.ImagineThisTheMusical.com.

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