Charing Cross Theatre, London
Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including interval)
Age Restrictions: This production is recommended for ages 12+.
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‘Rebecca’, by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, two of the most successful German-language musical theatre composers, had its world premiere at the VBW-theatre Raimund Theater in Vienna, Austria, in September 2006, where it went on to play to sold-out houses in three seasons, and where it is currently enjoying a successful revival. Rebecca, with an orchestra of 18, will be directed by Alejandro Bonatto (director of the critically acclaimed production of Donizetti’s ‘Rita’ and the upcoming production of Francis Poulanc and Jean Cocteau’s ‘The Human Voice’ at Charing Cross Theatre later this month).
It has a new English translation by Christopher Hampton (two-time Tony Award winner Best Score & Best Book for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and Oscar winner for Best Adapted Screenplay ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ & ‘The Father’) and Michael Kunze. Rebecca, with 22 original songs, is a gripping thriller full of intrigue and surprises that sticks closely to the original novel. Wealthy Maxim De Winter brings his naïve new wife home to his Cornish estate, Manderley, where the manipulative housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, resents the new wife’s intrusion.
She persuades her that she is an unworthy replacement for the first Mrs. De Winter, the glamorous and mysterious Rebecca, who perished in a drowning accident, with tragic results... The world-famous novel was also turned into a celebrated Alfred Hitchcock film in 1940, starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson, George Sanders and Gladys Cooper. It was nominated for 11 Oscars, winning two awards; Best Picture and Best Cinematography. Cast to be announced.
Charing Cross Theatre
Charing Cross Theatre
(formerly New Players Theatre), The Arches, Villiers Street
London
WC2N 6NG
The Charing Cross Theatre: The Venue
The Charing Cross Theatre is one of the smallest West End theatres with only 275 seats. The theatre was rebuilt in 1989 as part of the Charing Cross re-development to meet the demands of national and international producers wanting a theatre that offered a degree of intimacy and is the equivalent of an Off-Broadway space.
The Charing Cross Theatre: History
Founded in 1936, Charing Cross Theatre (formerly the New Players Theatre) occupied several premises in the West End before locating to its present site under The Arches below Charing Cross Station. The current site was a famous Victorian music hall which went on to produce many musicals, pantomimes and melodramas.
Ideally situated under the arches of Charing Cross Station, London's Charing Cross Theatre (formerly the New Players Theatre) is brimming with history and is proud to be one of London’s last remaining music hall venues. Over 100 years of entertainment lives within these walls creating a beautifully theatrical atmosphere bursting with memories of London’s finest entertainers - and, back in the days, if you were willing to buy a pint and a cigar then your entrance was free! With the smoking ban now in force The Charing Cross Theatre must charge a little more than that, but it remains a competitively priced, central London venue, giving audiences the chance to see, with ease, a range of entertainment.
Charing Cross Theatre strives to continue the historical spirit of the venue by entertaining audiences with many kinds of events from late night cabarets, plays, comedy and musicals to showcases, fashion shows and music gigs.
The Charing Cross Theatre is beautiful and still has the original Victorian bar at the back of the auditorium with the original Victorian glass panelling, creating an atmosphere that is truly one of a kind. The theatre is perfectly complimented with a newly renovated bar and restaurant which is open until 2.30am. The Charing Cross Theatre is a venue which hardly sleeps.
The Cross' small in-house team are filled with passion and love for the venue, making this a home for all that visit and a place they will want to return to.
Travel by train: Charing Cross. Nearest tube: Charing Cross, Embankment
