CAN-CAN! – the new Offenbach dance musical, at the Union Theatre in Southwark

CAN-CAN IS RUNNING FROM 6TH FEB TO 9TH MARCH

As one of the productions in the Essential Classics 2019 season: ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE

The Union Theatre’s annual Essential Classics season was established by Phil Willmott in 2014 as a means of introducing new audiences to work in which great writers of the past have reflected on issues we face today. Other productions in the series include Arthur Miller’s An Enemy of the People and Shakespeare’s Othello.

Set in 1890s France during the Golden Age period, known as La Belle Époque “Beautiful Era”, CAN-CAN! is a fun and frivolous new dance musical adapted from Offenbach’s original operetta Orpheus in the Underworld and features a 17 strong all-singing, all-dancing cast.

Loosely based on the original book by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, CAN-CAN! features the larger than life performers of the Moulin Rouge who scandalised Paris in the 1890s. Overflowing with joie de vivre, it includes the early stars of the can-can dance: Jane Avril, known as “Queen of the Moulin Rouge” and La Goulue “The Queen of Montmartre”, together with the artist Toulouse-Lautrec who promoted his muses to stardom on posters and paintings, and the young Offenbach. They are joined by a glittering line-up of speciality acts, dancers and well-known figures of their day. Features a newly arranged score with a treasure trove of gorgeous operetta melodies by Offenbach, Lehár and others, culminating in the famous can-can dance itself.

BACKGROUND

The 1890s period was known as La Belle Époque “Beautiful Era”, when Paris formally scandalised by its artistic community began to embrace and celebrate these former social outcasts. Industry was growing; the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) had just been constructed as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, the Exposition Universelle, and with economic growth, science, art and technology flourished. Joseph Oller and his Manager Charles Zidler opened the Moulin Rouge on 6 October 1889 in the Jardin de Paris. It’s opening followed the huge success of the Folies Bergère (originally named the Folies Trévise) which had developed over the years from being an opera house to embracing the racier spirit of La Belle Époque.

Despite the financial growth, there was still a massive divide between the bourgeoisie and the working class. The poverty-stricken suffered terrible hardship with many desperately trying to scrape a living together on the streets, often having no choice but to turn to petty crime, whilst the new Parisian aristocracy and nouveau riche were out to have fun. The Golden Age was a time when those who were looking to enjoy the fruits of their labour drank plenty of absinthe and flocked to cabarets, burlesque and music halls where they rubbed shoulders with those who had escaped crippling financial ruin, abuse and despair by finding work in these establishments. The best depiction of this era is found in Émile Zola’s Les Rougon-Macquart series – in particular, in his novels ‘Nana’ and in ‘L’Assommoir’ the prequel. Zola’s work particularly highlights the constant struggle women faced for survival in establishments like the Théâtre des Variétés.

Step into the Moulin Rouge at the Union Theatre in Southwark and join us in remembering the lives of these wonderful characters.

LISTINGS, CAST AND CREATIVES

THE NEW OFFENBACH DANCE MUSICAL – Orpheus in the Paris Underworld!

Music by Jacques Offenbach and his contemporaries
Arranged by Richard Baker
Loosely based on a plot by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero
Freely adapted, with lyrics by Phil Willmott

Produced by Sasha Regan for the Union Theatre

CAST

Kathy Peacock, Sam Woods, Richard Harfst, PK Taylor, Mark Garfield, James Alexander-Chew, Emily Barnett-Salter, Kasey Claybourn, Sarah Kacey, Grace Manley, Corinna Marlowe, Lauren Wood, Callum Mills, Jordan Nesbitt, Phil Willmott, Damjan Mrackovich and Connor Philipson.

CREATIVES

Directed by: Phil Setren
Based on a staging by: Phil Willmott
Choreographer: Adam Haigh
Musical Arrangements and Sound Design: Richard Baker
Musical Direction: Rosa Lennox
Assistant Direction: Tolley Angell
Casting: Adam Braham

Dance Captain: Jordan Nesbitt

Assistant Dance Captain: Sarah Kacey
Set Design: Justin Williams & Jonny Rust
Lighting Design: Matthew Swithinbank
Costume Design: Penn O’Gara
Stage Management: Toby Burbidge
Production Photography: Scott Rylander

DATES, PERORMANCE TIMES AND TICKETS

Runs: 6th February – 9th March, 2019

Evening performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30pm

Matinées: Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm
Preview Tickets: 6th February -10th February all tickets £15

Standard Tickets: 12th February – 9th March full price: £22.50, under 18’s £15 (see website for other concessions)

Box Office: 020 7261 9876

Address: The Union Theatre, Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, Southwark, SE1 0LR