It is directed by Daniel Evans, currently artistic director of Sheffield Theatres who will take over late this year at Chichester Festival, with choreography by Alistair David, designs by Lez Brotherston, musical supervision and direction by David White, lighting by David Hersey, sound by Paul Groothuis and video design by Tim Reid. It is produced in the West End by David Ian with Bob Bartner and Norman Tulchin.



Casting is still to be confirmed, though at Sheffield it featured Michael Xavier as Gaylord Ravenal, Gina Beck as Magnolia Hawks, Lucy Briers as Parthenia Hawks, Sandra Marvin as Queenie, Emmanuel Kojo as Joe, Rebecca Trehearn as Julie La Verne and Allan Corduner as Captain Andy Hawks. Xavier will be unavailable, as he has already been announced to star as Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard opposite Glenn Close at the London Coliseum in April, as previously reported here.

In a press statement, Evans has commented, "Show Boat is often thought to be the mother of all musicals. Hammerstein and Kern's score continues to blow audiences away, almost 90 years later. As well as being a riveting story, the piece's themes of family and freedom still speak to us today in a profound way. I feel proud that the production we made in Sheffield will now get to travel further afield and be experienced by yet more audiences in the capital."

This version of Show Boat was originally produced by Goodspeed Musicals and was adapted and directed by Rob Ruggiero and presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe. The show's Broadway premiere was in 1927.



To book tickets, which are on sale through Jan. 7, contact the box office on 0844 412 4654 or visit ShowBoatMusical.co.uk