Carousel

Carousel at Savoy Theatre

Why see Carousel?

ONE OF THE TRULY GREAT MUSICALS!

Carousel breaks away from the typical tales of love. Instead it exposes relationships as not just fairytale romance which gloss over the grit, but as raw, lustful and tempered by personal successes and failings.

The original version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, which opening in Broadway in 1945, was lauded by Time Magazine as "Best Musical of the 20th Century". Over half a century later, the classic musical continues to reap acclaim. With a cast of 33 and an orchestra of 17, seamless choreography by Adam Cooper and spectacular design by William Dudley, award-winning director Lindsay Posner breathes new life into Carousel, which bursts forth with all the charisma, passion and song-and-dance that a good musical should.

WHAT?s CAROUSEL ABOUT?

Spring 1873 and it's carnival time in a small fishing village in New England, USA. Julie Jordan and Carrie Pipperidge are told off by the proprietress of the carousel for flirting with handsome Billy Bigelow, the rough and tough carousel barker. Billy defends them and is promptly fired. Billy and Julie's whirlwind romance soon spirals into an unhappy marriage marked by rage and frustration.

Julie falls pregnant, and Billy, still unemployed but desperate to support his family, is drawn into a robbery which ends in Billy taking his own life. But the story isn't over. Billy's legacy lives on, not only in his afterlife and search for redemption, but in his daughter Louise.

Key Information

Audience

Carousel is suitable for audiences of all ages. Children under 4 will not be admitted to the Savoy Theatre.

Dates

Finished 25 Jul 2009

Cast

Lesley Garrett as Nettie Fowler
Jeremiah James as Billy Bigelow
Alexandra Silber as Julie Jordan
Alan Vicary as Enoch Snow
David COllings as Starkeeper / Dr Seldon
David Delve as David Bascombe
Derek Hagen as Captain
Diana Kent as Mrs Mullin
Graham MacDuff as Jigger Craigin

Creative

Music & Lyrics by Rodgers & Hammerstein
Directed by Lindsay Posner
Choreography by Adam Cooper
Set Design by William Dudley
Costume Design by Deirdre Clancy
Lighting Design by Peter Mumford
Sound Design by Gareth Owen for Orbital
Orchestrations by Larry Blank
Musical Director, David Firman
Associate Musical Director, Mark Bousie
Resident Director, Graham Gill
Resident Assistant Choreographer, Tom Dwyer
Dialect Coach, Penny Dyer
Technical Production Consultant, John Dalston
Production Manager, Digby Robinson
Casting Director, David Grindod Associates
Orchestral Management by Sylvia Addison

Reviews

Customer reviews

9 reviews, average rating: (3.5 Stars)

Theresa Jane Leigh

A refreshing new take on a classic favourite

I was so looking forward to seeing this as has always been my absolute favourite, I went with an open mind and was not disappointed!, it's easy to expect to see what you know but this being an outdoor production and on such a unique stage was always going to be different, the singing was haunting and the dancing beautiful to watch, I know people expected to see the dancing horses of the carousel but if you just sat back and used your imagination you would get it, I loved every minute of this production from the first notes of the instruments to the last bow, well done to you all and thank you for the experience!. ... Read more

Ann Gwynn

Carousel

A strangely dark production. All the leads were very good and it’s hard to go wrong with those terrific songs. For me, it was written in the 40s, so why try to bring twenty-first century attitudes to it? The big numbers, like ‘June is bustin’ out’ never quite got going nor gave me the spine tingle. But the open air theatre is always a joy and I loved the brass band bit. ... Read more

Helena

A brilliant night. Again!

I've seen this show a few times now at the Savoy, and would absolutely recommend it. Jeremiah James is perfect as Billy, and the entire company have been flawless each time I have seen the show. Granted, the venue isn't the nicest theatre in London, but the show more than makes up for this. See it! Enjoy it! ... Read more
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