Sunny Afternoon, the critically acclaimed new musical which tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks, has extended its run until 31 January 2015. The show begins previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 4 October 2014.
"I've never heard a Kinks song that I didn't like. […] From their noisy and brash beginnings, the Kinks have come to stand for some of the most enduring and heart-clutching pop of all time. They are in the gut of every British songwriter who followed them and are indisputably a cornerstone of everything pop and rock. I love 'em. The world loves 'em"
David Bowie, September 2014
Following a sold-out run at Hampstead Theatre, this world premiere production, with music and lyrics by Ray Davies, new book by Joe Penhall, original story by Ray Davies, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether and choreography by Adam Cooper, will open on 28 October. Lighting is by Rick Fisher, sound by Matt McKenzie and the Musical Supervisor and Musical Director is Elliott Ware.
The cast of Sunny Afternoon is currently in rehearsals with director Edward Hall, Ray Davies and Joe Penhall. An official cast recording album has been produced by Ray Davies at his Konk studios, and will be released in October on Chrysalis BMG.
The theatre auditorium will be re-configured for the run of the hit show. In addition to a catwalk thrusting out into the auditorium, audiences will have the opportunity to watch Sunny Afternoon from more than sixty seats at cabaret-style tables in the stalls area.
Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola, Sunny Afternoon marks the 50th Anniversary year of the band’s debut release.
The Kinks exploded onto the 60s music scene with a raw, energetic new sound that rocked a nation. But how did that happen, where exactly did they come from and what happened next?
Set against the back-drop of a Britain caught mid-swing between the conservative 50s and riotous 60s, this production explores the euphoric highs and agonising lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands and the irresistible music that influenced generations.
The principal cast members remain with the production: John Dagleish plays Ray Davies, George Maguire plays Dave Davies, Ned Derrington plays Pete Quaife and Adam Sopp plays Mick Avory – The Kinks.
The cast also includes: Carly Anderson, Philip Bird, Ashley Campbell, Ben Caplan, Lillie Flynn, Emily Goodenough, Elizabeth Hill, Vince Leigh, Amy Ross, Dominic Tighe and Tam Williams.
Sonia Friedman Productions commissioned Joe Penhall in 2010 to write the book based on Ray Davies’s original story. The company developed the production over the next four years, assembling the creative team and cast that presentedSunny Afternoon earlier this year at Hampstead Theatre under the direction of Edward Hall.
Ray Davies is an influential and prolific rock musician and was co-founder and lead singer and songwriter for rock band The Kinks, and later a solo artist. He has an outstanding catalogue of hits from the earliest 1960s to the present day with estimated record sales in excess of 50 million. He has also acted, directed and produced shows for theatre and television.
Joe Penhall is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. Plays include Some Voices (Royal Court), Blue/Orange(National Theatre and West End), winner of Best New Play at the Evening Standard Awards, Olivier Awards and at the Critics Circle, and Dumb Show, Haunted Child and Birthday (all Royal Court). Screenplays include Enduring Love and The Road.
As Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, Edward Hall’s productions include Wonderland; Sunny Afternoon; Raving;Chariots of Fire; No Naughty Bits; Loyalty and Enlightenment. As Artistic Director of Propeller, his work has toured worldwide, played the West End and Broadway and has won numerous Awards both in the UK and overseas. Other theatre work includes A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (National Theatre); Edmond with Kenneth Branagh (National Theatre); Macbeth with Sean Bean (Albery); The Constant Wife (Apollo); Julius Caesar (RSC); Henry V (RSC) andThe Deep Blue Sea (Vaudeville). Television work includes Downton Abbey; Spooks and Kingdom. Edward is an Associate of the National Theatre and the Old Vic.
John Dagleish (Ray Davies) was last on stage in Out of Joint’s The Mother. Film appearances include The Monuments Men, Snow in Paradise and Age of Heroes. TV includes Lark Rise to Candleford (3 series), Beaver Falls (2 series), Starlings(2 series) and Henry V, The Hollow Crown.
George Maguire’s (Dave Davies) stage appearances include 20th Century Boy (Belgrade Coventry, Wolsey Ipswich), Hair (Piccadilly Theatre), Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story (Charing Cross Theatre), Lift and Ten,Ten,Ten (Soho Theatre). Film includes Spiderhole, Boogeyman 3 and Terror and Utopia.
Adam Sopp’s (Mick Avory) stage work includes Symphony (Nabokov Theatre,Waterloo Vaults), The El Train (Hoxton Hall),The Woman In The Moon (Shakespeare’s Globe, Glastonbury), Backbeat (West End, USA and Canada). TV includes The Lost Honour, WPC56 and Teenage Kicks. Voice over parts include Harry Potter, Wild Tales, There Be Dragons and War and Peace.
Ned Derrington (Pete Quaife) is a recent RADA graduate. He has appeared in many RADA productions. On TV he has acted in Siblings, Fresh Meat, Holby City and Midsomer Murders.
