High Society. Press Release 20 November The Old Vic presents

Transcription

1 Press Release 20 November 2014 The Old Vic presents High Society Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Arthur Kopit Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Based on The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. motion picture High Society Directed by Maria Friedman Previews from 30 April 2015 Press night 14 May 2015 Cole Porter s classic feel-good musical, High Society comes to The Old Vic in a glittering new production staged in the round. Directed by multi-award-winning director and musical star Maria Friedman (director of Merrily We Roll Along, Olivier Award winner for Best Musical Revival, Critics Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical). High Society is based on The Philadelphia Story and the 1956 MGM film musical starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Long Island socialite Tracy Lord is planning her lavish summer wedding when her exhusband appears to try and win her back. His unwelcome arrival threatens to disrupt proceedings. When tabloid reporter Mike Connor arrives to cover the nuptials, he too takes a shine to the bride-to-be. But which of these three suitors will she choose? The final production of The Old Vic s season in the round, this ambitious project is once more made possible by the generous support of CQS. The season of productions is supported for the fourth consecutive year by Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Maria Friedman, Director, said "To stage High Society in the round at The Old Vic is a hugely exciting project providing the perfect immersive environment for a sparkling musical celebration of wedding day shenanigans. I am really looking forward to transporting audiences into the glamorous heart of this world and hope they enjoy the party! Maria Friedman made her directorial debut with Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory which then transferred to the Harold Pinter Theatre. The show won two Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival, Critics Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical as well as being nominated for a further five Olivier Awards including Best Director. Merrily We Roll Along received more five-star reviews than any West End show in history.

2 Friedman s extensive performing credits include Maria Friedman: Re-arranged, which transferred from the Menier Chocolate Factory to Trafalgar Studios (Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment); Fosca in Sondheim s Passion (Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical); Mother in Ragtime (Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical); Maria Friedman, by Special Arrangement which transferred from the Donmar Warehouse to the Whitehall Theatre (Olivier Award for Best Entertainment); Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre (Olivier Award nomination); Sunday in the Park with George (Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical) and Lady in the Dark (Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical) both at the National Theatre; West End and Broadway productions of The Woman in White (Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical/Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut). More recently Maria has been seen performing her new show Back to Before which is to transfer to New York in She is also currently appearing as Elaine Peacock in the BBC1 continuing drama EastEnders. Director Musical Director Sound Designer Casting Director Maria Friedman Theo Jamieson Simon Baker Maggie Lunn Original Broadway Production Produced by: Lauren Mitchell and Robert Gailus, Hal Luftig and Richard Samson Dodger Endemol Theatricals in association with Bill Haber Originally produced by American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco, CA. Carey Perloff, Artistic Director, Heather Kitchen, Managing Director Press Contacts For production press enquiries: Jo Allan E jo@joallanpr.com M T Kitty Greenleaf E kitty@joallanpr.com M

3 BOX OFFICE INFORMATION Box Office oldvictheatre.com The Old Vic, The Cut, London SE1 8NB HIGH SOCIETY Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Arthur Kopit Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead Based on The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. motion picture High Society Thu 30 April Sat 22 August 2015 Previews: 30 April 13 May Press Performance: 14 May, 7pm Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed 2:30pm (from 20 May); Sat 2:30pm (from 9 May) TICKETS: 60 (Mon to Thu) / 65 (Fri and Sat), 50 (Mon to Thu) / 55 (Fri and Sat), 30, 21, off top two price bands in previews (Old Vic Friends off) For information regarding Premium Seats please call the box office. Concessions for High Society PwC tickets for Under 25s: tickets for all performances. Bookable in advance but tickets must be collected in person from the Box Office with proof of age. Senior Citizens: Best available seats for 30 for all matinee performances only. Groups 10+: 10 off top 3 prices for Mon Wed eves & Wed matinees. School Groups 10+: 12 for Mon Wed eves & Wed matinees. Disabled Patrons: Top 3 prices reduced to 21 for all performances. All concessions are limited and subject to availability. All 2014/15 ticket prices (apart from the PwC tickets for Under 25s, community & schools tickets) include a 1 restoration levy.

4 NOTES TO EDITORS Bank of America Merrill Lynch Corporate Responsibility Developing solutions for social and economic challenges is at the core of Bank of America Merrill Lynch s responsibility platform. In more than 90 countries around the world, we partner with employees, clients and stakeholders to help make financial lives better. The firm focuses on responsible business practices, environmental sustainability, advancing opportunity in local communities through education and employability programmes and investing in global leadership development. We realise the power of our people and value our differences, recognising that our diversity makes us a stronger firm and allows us to better service our stakeholders. By harnessing our intellectual resources, sharing knowledge and connecting capital with need, we are providing opportunities that effect positive change. Learn more at and follow us on Rena DeSisto, Global Arts and Culture, and international Corporate Social Responsibility executive, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said: "The Old Vic delights in so many ways from their wonderful stage performances through to education programmes with local schools. In today s climate, there s a lot at stake if institutions like The Old Vic do not receive the funding they need for connecting communities, so we are pleased to support their incredible work for a fourth consecutive year. About CQS CQS is once again delighted to be supporting The Old Vic. CQS is a global multi strategy asset management firm providing investment solutions for institutional investors. Our track record is underpinned by fundamental research and quantitative analysis, with robust institutional operational and risk management platforms. We are a founding member of the HFSB and regulated by the FCA in the UK, the SFC in Hong Kong, ASIC in Australia and registered with the SEC in the US. CQS said: We are very pleased to be supporting these superb and innovative productions." About PwC PwC firms help organisations and individuals create the value they re looking for. We re a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 195,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see for further details PricewaterhouseCoopers. All rights reserved. Ian Powell, Chairman and Senior Partner, PwC, said: "Doing the right thing is important to PwC's strategy and we are delighted to be working with The Old Vic. Together, we make sure that the PwC Under 25s Club continues to make theatre accessible to young people to inspire a new audience."

5 The Old Vic Season Sponsor Partnering The Old Vic The Old Vic gratefully acknowledges an award of 5 million in 2012 from the Catalyst Arts Endowment Fund, conditional on our raising 15 million match funding by 2015.