To celebrate the birthday of Dusty Springfield (born 16 April 1939) further casting has been announced today for DUSTY, the landmark new musical about her life which will have its world premiere at Theatre Royal Bath in June 2018 before dates at The Lyceum in Sheffield, Newcastle Theatre Royal, and The Lowry in Salford.
Joining the previously announced Katherine Kingsley (Piaf, Singin’ in the Rain) in the title role will be actor, comedian and presenter Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Wind in the Willows) as Dusty’s manager Billings and Roberta Taylor (The Bill, EastEnders) as Dusty’s mother Kay.
The full cast will include Ishmail Aaron, Jenny Bolt, Alex Bowen, Esther Coles, Joelle Dyson, Joanna Francis, Paul Grunert, Ella Kenion, Adam Lyons, Lisa Mathieson, Katharine Pearson, Micha Richardson, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Hampus Lee Strand and Chad Wilder, with further casting still to be announced.
With a fiercely funny and emotionally charged script from BAFTA and Olivier nominated writer Jonathan Harvey (Beautiful Thing, Coronation Street), DUSTY is directed by Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman (Merrily We Roll Along, Stepping Out).
DUSTY features many of the singer’s blazingly soulful pop hits, including I Only Want to Be with You, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.
London born Dusty Springfield’s career started in the late 1950’s. She soon became known across the world for her soulful voice and iconic look with hits spanning four decades. Dusty was recently voted one of the most influential women of the last 100 years in a poll by BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme. Her 1969 masterpiece ‘Dusty In Memphis’ is considered one of the greatest albums of all time and Dusty has been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame.
DUSTY draws on the memories of her close friend, manager and authorised biographer Vicki Wickham, her lifelong personal assistant Pat Rhodes, and friend and record company executive Tris Penna.
Set and Costume Design is by Tom Pye with Choreography by Tim Jackson, Lighting Design by Bruno Poet, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Video Design by Finn Ross, Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Steve Sidwell and Musical Supervision and Vocal Arrangements by Tim Sutton. Music Consultant is Tris Penna, Casting Director is Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG and Hair, Wigs and Make Up are by Carole Hancock.
Saturday 23 June – Saturday 7 July 2018 THEATRE ROYAL BATH
Wednesday 10 July – Saturday 14 July 2018 SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE
Tuesday 17 July – Saturday 21 July 2018 NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL
Tuesday 24 July – Saturday 28 July 2018 THE LOWRY, SALFORD
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