Preview: West Side Story at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Web link: Carliol Photography 

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide. Read about JoWhereToGo and its PR and photography services here.

North East Theatre Company

Presents a West Side Story

West Side Story

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 July 2016

The glad rags are primed, as Newcastle Musical Theatre Company (NMTC) bring 1950’s swing and song to Newcastle Theatre Royal this July, in what will be a breath taking performance of Broadway’s heart wrenching classic, West Side Story.

The show, which sees star crossed lovers Toni and Maria caught in the cross fire of gang warfare between Sharks and Jets is showing at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 July 2016.

Directed and choreographed by nurse and dancer Sandra Laidler, with musical direction provided by Cambridge music scholar, doctor and conductor Malcolm Moffat, this is by far the company’s most demanding production to date.

Jamie Douglass and Nikki Cunningham lead as lovers Toni and Maria, with Dan Dickinson as Jet leader, Riff and Ty Roach-Thompson as Shark leader, Bernardo, as well as Lauren Gordon as the formidable Anita.

Having to remain authentic to the original production, Laidler, whose extensive performance career includes NMTC’s previous productions of Grease and Sister Act, as well as numerous lead roles in North East productions, said:"Initially I held great reservations, believing my artist wings would feel clipped, but in hindsight I am delighted to have accomplished this and have learned a new creative approach to choreography. It was very challenging deciphering another choreographer’s notes and demonstrating it to the cast, but they have been exceptional."

The 38 strong cast are technically amateur performers but NMTC has performed at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal for over 60 years, staging exceptional productions that have, on occasion, even beaten London’s own West End ticket sales.

Tickets:

NMTC’s Newcastle Theatre Royal production of West Side Story will take place from 19-23 July at 7.00pm with addition matinee performances on 21-23 July at 2.00pm, with tickets available at www.theatreroyal.co.uk from £10.00.