Milton Keynes adds extras dates for South Pacific

Following a phenomenal demand for tickets, Milton Keynes Theatre has added an extra two mid-week matinee performances of the acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific on Thursday, October 13 and Thursday, October 20 at 2.30pm.

Currently wowing audiences at London’s Barbican Theatre, South Pacific opens its nationwide tour in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, October 12 and runs until October 22.

Barbican cast member Samantha Womack will star in the role of Nellie Forbush along with Loretta Ables Sayre in the role of Bloody Mary, a performance for which she was Tony-nominated in New York.

Samantha’s previous credits on stage include Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, and the Donmar production in the West End of Guys and Dolls. Welsh National Opera star Jason Howard will be starring in the role of Emile de Becque. Jason, who also starred in the original Broadway production, is recognised as one of the UK’s leading performers on the international operatic stage.

Also starring in the nationwide tour of South Pacific will be musical theatre stars Daniel Koek (following his acclaimed performance as Tony in the recent UK hit production of West Side Story) as Lt Joe Cable and Alex Ferns (Nathan Detroit in Donmar’s Guys and Dolls) as Luther Billis.

The cast features Elizabeth Chong as Liat, Cameron Jack as Stewpot, Luke Kempner as Seabee/Professor, Dominic Taylor as Commander Harbison and Nigel Williams as Captain Brackett, with Carly Anderson, Jill Armour, James Austen-Murray, Chris Bennett, Lawrence Carmichael, Mairi Cowieson, Matthew Crowe, Stephen John Davis, Lisa Dent, Eddie Elliott, Chris Jenkins, Maria Lawson, Nyron Levy, Dean Maynard, Adam Pritchard, Dominic Smith, Mikel Sylvanus, Jacqueline Tate, Danny Whitehead, Bleu Woodward and Nick Wyschna.

Metropolitan Opera’s Bartlett Sher’s hailed production of South Pacific reinvented the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and played to sold-out houses on Broadway for two years. This was the first Broadway production the Rodgers & Hammerstein Estate had allowed to be staged since the musical originally opened in 1949 and ran for almost five years.

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Bali Ha’i, I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy, Younger than Springtime, Happy Talk and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.

Set on a tropical island during World War II, this is the sweeping romantic story of two couples, threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an unfamiliar culture in wartime remains as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences.

Featuring a cast and live orchestra of 50, this is a ravishing and breathtaking production, which is brought to the UK by the entire Lincoln Center creative team, led by director Bartlett Sher, with musical staging by Christopher Gattelli, sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Donald Holder, sound by Scott Lehrer, musical supervision by Ted Sperling and original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett. Musical direction will be by Jae Alexander.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific is produced at the Barbican Theatre and on tour by Bob Boyett, Bob Bartner, Howard Panter for the Ambassador Theatre Group, and Genesius Theatrical Productions in association with Promenade Productions.

This breathtaking and lavish production will be a show to remember forever. Tickets are selling fast so book yours now at Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652 (booking fee) or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes (booking fee).