Preview: Blues In The Night, Hackney Empire 24th April to 4th May
Blues Matters likes the look of that video and the show it advertises, Blues In the Night.
How does the show sum itself up?
Chicago 1939 One man, three women, their lives, memories and the music that gets them through the night…
“BLUES IN THE NIGHT uses the great blues and jazz songs of the 1920’s and 30’s to explore the lives of three women and a saloon singer in a ‘cheap hotel’ during the course of a long memory-filled evening. The 26 songs celebrate the blues melodies of Bessie Smith, Jimmy Cox, Duke Ellington, Alberta Hunter and songs by Harold Arlen, Benny Goodman, Andy Razaf, Johnny Mercer and others.
“BLUES IN THE NIGHT is sung throughout. The interweaving stories are defined through music, some raunchily forthright, some infectiously good-humoured and some poignant. Songs include ‘When a Woman Loves a Man’, ‘Wasted Life Blues’, ‘Taking a Chance on Love’, ‘Lover Man’ ‘Kitchen Man’ and the title song. It was originally produced in 1980 at Playhouse 46 in New York. The Broadway production, directed by Sheldon Epps ran at Rialto Theatre in 1982 and was nominated for a Tony Award. It was at the Donmar Warehouse in 1987, and transferred to the Piccadilly Theatre where it ran until July 1988, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
“The 13 performances will be directed by Susie McKenna, Creative Director at Hackney Empire. It is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York.
“The cast are Sharon D Clarke, Paulette Ivory, Gemma Sutton and Clive Rowe. Blues In The Night was conceived and originally directed by Sheldon Epps. The Director is Susie McKenna, Musical Director is Mark Dickman, design is by Lotte Collett, choreography will be by Frank Thompson, lighting by David W Kidd and sound design by Avgoustos Psillas. There will be a 5 piece live Jazz band and dancers K M Drew Boateng and Ryan Reid.”
Tickets £25 – £10.00 Weds, Thurs, Fri: 7.30pm Sat, Sun: 4pm, 8pm
(Running time 2 hours including interval)
Hackney Empire 291 Mare Street London E81JEJ
Box Office 0208 985 2424
www.hackneyempire.co.uk
We’re looking forward to Blues in one of these nights.
