Preview: Dusty the Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal

DUSTY THE MUSICAL CELEBRATES ICONIC BRITISH FEMALE SINGER

Dusty the Musical

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 17^th – Saturday 21^st July 2018

A landmark new musical about the life of Dusty Springfield is heading to Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Katherine Kingsley (Piaf, Singin’ in the Rain) will be playing the role of Dusty and she is being joined by actor, comedian and presenter Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Wind in the Willows) as Dusty’s manager Billings and Roberta Taylor (The Bill, EastEnders) as Dusty’s mother Kay.

The full cast will include Ishmail Aaron, Jenny Bolt, Alex Bowen, Esther Coles, Joelle Dyson, Joanna Francis, Paul Grunert, Ella Kenion, Adam Lyons, Lisa Mathieson, Katharine Pearson, Micha Richardson, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Hampus Lee Strand and Chad Wilder, with further casting still to be announced.

With a fiercely funny and emotionally charged script from BAFTA and Olivier nominated writer Jonathan Harvey (Beautiful Thing, Coronation Street), Dusty is directed by Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman (Merrily We Roll Along, Stepping Out).

Dusty features many of the singer’s blazingly soulful pop hits, including I Only Want to Be with You, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me.  

London born Dusty Springfield’s career started in the late 1950’s. She soon became known across the world for her soulful voice and iconic look with hits spanning four decades. Dusty was recently voted one of the most influential women of the last 100 years in a poll by BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme. Her 1969 masterpiece 'Dusty In Memphis' is considered one of the greatest albums of all time and Dusty has been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame.

Dusty draws on the memories of her close friend, manager and authorised biographer Vicki Wickham, her lifelong personal assistant Pat Rhodes, and friend and record company executive Tris Penna.

Dusty is produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions in association with Tris Penna and Vicki Wickham. Set and Costume Design is by Tom Pye with Choreography by Tim Jackson, Lighting Design by Bruno Poet, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Video Design by Finn Ross, Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Steve Sidwell and Musical Supervision and Vocal Arrangements by Tim Sutton. Music Consultant is Tris Penna, Casting Director is Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG and Hair, Wigs and Make Up are by Carole Hancock.

Photos: Johan Persson

Tickets:

Dusty the Musical plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 17^th – Saturday 21^st July 2018 playing evenings at 7.30pm and matinees 2pm (Thu) and 2.30pm (Sat).  Tickets priced from £19.50 can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).