South Pacific sails into Liverpool

SOUTH Pacific sets sails to Liverpool where it will dock at the Empire Theatre for two weeks - from Tuesday, February 21.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Feb 2012, 15:08 BST

Samantha Womack (formerly Janus) stars as Nellie Forbush, a role for which she gained rave reviews on the West End. Samantha said: “I am especially excited about taking the show to Liverpool. All my in-laws are there and I’ve been an adopted Scouser since I did Liverpool One.”

Joining Samantha in this spectacular show are Welsh National Opera star Jason Howard playing Emile de Becque, New York’s Tony Award-nominated Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary, Daniel Koek as Lt Joe Cable and Alex Ferns as Luther Billis.

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Bartlett Sher’s hailed production of South Pacific reinvented the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and played to sold-out houses on Broadway for two years. This was the first Broadway production the Rodgers & Hammerstein Estate had allowed to be staged since the musical originally opened in 1949 and ran for almost five years. Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Bali Ha’i, I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy, Younger than Springtime, Happy Talk and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

Set on a tropical island during World War II, this is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an unfamiliar culture in wartime remains as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences.

Featuring a cast of 40 and live orchestra of 25, this is a ravishing and breathtaking production, which has been brought to the UK by the entire Lincoln Center creative team, led by director Bartlett Sher, with musical staging my Christopher Gattelli, sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Donald Holder, sound by Scott Lehrer, musical supervision by Ted Sperling and original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett. Musical direction is by Jae Alexander.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific is produced on tour by Bob Boyett, Bob Bartner, Howard Panter for the Ambassador Theatre Group, and Genesius Theatrical Productions in association with Promenade Productions.

For further details, please visit www.southpacificonstage.com or www.liverpoolempire.org.uk

Pictures by Simon Annand

Related topics:South PacificLiverpoolWest End