After a triumphant five-star performance of Bernstein’s Candide In Concert and a sell-out five-star 2016 season, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra makes its East London debut at the Hackney Empire on 23rd September with Jerry Herman’s hit show Mack and Mabel. Tickets are on sale now.
Starring David Bedella (Jerry Springer: The Musical / The Rocky Horror Show / In The Heights) as Mack, Natasha J Barnes (Funny Girl / The Palladium’s All Star Cinderella) as Mabel and Tiffany Graves (Chicago / Sweet Charity / We Will Rock You) as Lottie, Mack and Mabel is based on the real-life story of Mack Sennett, the legendary director of the golden age of the Hollywood silent film and King Of Comedy, who finds himself bankrupt, alone and obsolete. Forced to sell his studio, he reminisces about the glory days, from the chaos of the Keystone Kops and the splendour of Charlie Chaplin, to his turbulent love affair with rising star Mabel Norman. A world where heroes wore capes, girls were tied to the railway tracks and it all ended with a pie in the face.
Mack and Mabel features an expansive and toe-tapping score by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly! / La Cage Aux Folles) and is widely adored for its classic Broadway hits including I Won’t Send Roses, Time Heals Everything and Tap Your Troubles Away. The album of the musical exploded in popularity when Torvill & Dean famously danced to the Overture in a routine to win Gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics. With the 32-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra in full swing and a stunning star West End cast directed by Shaun Kerrison and choreographed by Anthony Whiteman, don’t miss out on what is sure to be an end of summer treat.
Founder Freddie Tapner said: “I love Mack and Mabel because it's one of those shows where you think you don't know it but you know every song in it. "I Won't Send Roses", "Time Heals Everything" and "Tap Your Troubles Away" have all invaded the public consciousness for very good reason - they are timeless classics. I am so excited to have this dream trio lead our cast - David, Natasha and Tiffany bring their sensational voices but also that touch of whimsy which this genre of musical so cries out for. I can't wait for the 23rd!”
David Bedella
Having starred in Jesus Christ Superstar and HMS Pinafore, David Bedella is best known for playing the role of Satan in Jerry Springer: The Musical, for which he won the 2004 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor In A Musical as well as starring as the titular role in Hedwig And The Angry Inch and as Dr Frank n Furter in The UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show. Bedella has also starred in The Producers as Roger De Bril and most recently in the Tony Award-winning In The Heights.
Natasha J Barnes
Natasha first came to the public’s attention last summer when she stepped into the role of Fanny Brice for the West End run of Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre, becoming a 5-star critical wonder, with the Daily Telegraph calling her ‘a sensation in her own right… She has a charisma and twinkling mischief that’s irresistible’, and the Daily Mail stating, ‘An exceptional lead performance’. This was swiftly followed by Natasha playing the title role in the Palladium’s all-star Cinderella at Christmas and she has since completed a major UK and Ireland tour of Funny Girl reprising the role of Fanny Brice. Her debut single, Supermodel, will be released in the Autumn.
Tiffany Graves
Best known for her performance of Velma in Chicago at London’s Adelphi Theatre and Cambridge Theatre, having become the first actress to play the leading roles of both Roxie Hart and then Velma Kelly, Tiffany Graves was alternate lead in Matthew White’s acclaimed production of Sweet Charity at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, having previously been Helene/Charity at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Other iconic leading roles have included Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, Marlene Dietrich in Piaf, and Sukie Rougemont in Witches of Eastwick, as well as taking part in the momentous 50 Year celebration at the National Theatre. As a member of the final cast of Cats at The New London Theatre, Tiffany appeared in a variety of roles including Cassandra, Jellyorum, Griddlebone and Bombalurina; she joined Grange Park Opera productions of La Traviataand Anything Goes, as well as appearing in Follies as The Royal Festival Hall. Tiffany has also recorded a Christmas album as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
During this exciting past year, as well as Candide In Concert, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra have performed three incredibly well received public concerts: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s State Fair, Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent’s A Christmas Carol and Jason Robert Brown’s Honeymoon in Vegas, conducted by the composer himself.
Other stars who have performed with the LMTO include James Dreyfus, Rob Houchen, Anna O’Byrne, Robert Lindsay, Maxwell Caulfield, Samantha Barks, Arthur Darvill, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Giovanna Fletcher, Norman Bowman, Alex Gaumond, Wendi Peters, Clive Carter, Emma Hatton, Celinde Schoenmaker, Oliver Savile, Nic Colicos and Rosemary Ashe.
LMTO will round off their successful second year with a reprise of A Christmas Carol at the Lyceum Theatre on 11th and 18th December.
