As St James Theatre prepares to head into its fourth year, the theatre announced today its Spring Season for 2016, which includes the UK premiere of The Pianist of Willesden Lane and the world premiere of new musical Miss Atomic Bomb.
Talking about the new season at the theatre, Creative Director of St James Theatre, James Albrecht said: ” As we embark on our fourth year at the St. James, it is a joy to be fulfilling our objective to present ambitious new plays, musical theatre and revivals of ground-breaking works, from both sides of the Atlantic. In our spring season we bring you absorbing and entertaining tales inspired by true stories and notable for their leading roles for women.”
The Pianist of Willesden Lane: 20th January – 27th February
The season opens with the UK premiere of The Pianist of Willesden Lane, adapted and directed by Hershey Felder.
Based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen, the story tells the true story of Lisa Jura, a Jewish pianist who dreams about making her concert debut. But with the rise of the Nazi regime, everything soon changes – except Lisa’s love for music.
Featuring some of the most beautiful music ever composed and performed by Mona Golabek, which is her own family story. It has been critically acclaimed in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Miss Atomic Bomb: 7th March – 9th April
This new musical is inspired by real life nuclear tests and beauty pageants of the era and is co-directed by Adam Long and Bill Deamerl, who has also choreographed the show.
Set in 1952 Las Vegas, tourists are going crazy for nuclear, sipping cocktails while watching atomic blasts igniting the sky. But on the other side of this, our heroine Candy’s sheep have mysteriously died, Joey has deserted the army, fashionista Myrna is designing clothes for pigs, and the hapless manager of the Golden Goose still needs an atomic gimmick… In a city controlled by the mob and the military, and with a spy in their midst, time is running out for our four friends.
My Mother Said I Never Should: 13th April – 21st April
Doris, born illegitimate in 1900, exchanges her budding teaching career for marriage and motherhood. When the war is over her daughter Margaret marries an American and has Jackie, who becomes an archetypal 60s rebel. When Jackie can’t face being a single mother, it is decided that baby Rosie will be brought up as Margaret’s own. That’s the plan anyway.
Directed by Paul Robinson and written by Charlotte Keatley, this moving play explores relationships between mothers and daughters as well as the consequences of breaking the most sacred taboo of motherhood. A play about the choices that we make in life and how it is never too late to change.
For more information about the new season and to book tickets for any of the shows in the spring season visit: https://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/ .