Donmar's Guys and Dolls, Starring Ewan McGregor, to Land at the Piccadilly
Guys and Dolls centers on zoot-suited gamblers, dashing con men and the beautiful show girls who love 'em. McGregor is playing the male lead, who believes he can win any bet, but gets more than he bargained for when he does. The musical features a score by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. This mounting of the musical will be directed by Michael Grandage and choreographed by Rob Ashford.
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical, based on the hit Jailhouse Rock film, began performances at the Piccadilly Theatre on March 26. The plot centers on Vince Everett played by Elvis Presley impersonator Mario Kombou, a young man serving a one-year jail sentence for manslaughter. While in prison, his cellmate introduces him to the music business and helps him learn to play the guitar. When Everett is released, he becomes a big rock 'n' roll star, but he may not be able to hold on to the friends that got him there. Rob Bettinson, who wrote the stage Jailhouse Rock with Alan Janes, directs. When it officially opened in the West End, the musical was greeted with mostly negative reviews. Ian Johns of The London Times wrote: "The songs are seldom given a dramatic edge, becoming solid gold-tour belters. Bettinson and Janes would be better off turning the singalong finale into one long rock 'n' roll party. It would make a more honest show. As it is, before the first song is over, you feel that Elvis has already left the building."