THE ULTIMATE DISCO EXTRAVAGANZA

“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”
THE SMASH HIT LONDON AND BROADWAY MUSICAL BOOGIES BACK INTO TOWN AT THE APOLLO VICTORIA FROM 2 JULY

One of Nowt2Do.Com's favourite shows is back, so you better get your white suit ready and book those tickets! "Feverishly good music, lights, songs, singing, sets…well feverishly good everything. This is one show not to miss. You can’t help wonder at this dazzling show, in every respect. Go catch the fever before it’s too late." Nowt2Do.Com 2001

The decade-defining soundtrack, the slick moves and that white suit – Now the legend that is “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” lights up the West End once again, as the disco extravaganza returns to the London stage, opening at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 2 July.  The production arrives in town from a hugely successful sell-out tour of the UK, having been seen by over half a million people since it opened in March 2003.  

KYM MARSH
MAKES HER WEST END DEBUT AS ‘ANNETTE’ IN THE ULTIMATE DISCO EXTRAVAGANZA

“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”

THE SMASH HIT LONDON AND BROADWAY MUSICAL

The decade-defining soundtrack, the slick moves and that white suit – Now the legend that is “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” lights up the West End once again, as the disco extravaganza returns to the London stage, opening at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 2 July.  The production arrives in town from a hugely successful sell-out tour of the UK, having been seen by over half a million people since it opened in March 2003.

The production marks two West End debuts.  The first is that of singer Kym Marsh who takes the role of ‘Annette’.  At the start of 2001 Kym was an unknown 24 year old musician from Wigan.  Just 12 months later she had won the Nationwide TV talent search “Pop Stars”, sold millions of records, performed a 36 date sold-out nationwide arena tour and sung live at the Brit Awards.  Kym became an overnight celebrity.  In 2002 she walked away from it all when she left the band Hear’say and a year later she released her debut solo album “Standing Tall” which went Gold and featured two Top 10 hits.  She is also a successful TV presenter and has guest-hosted SMTV and GMTV’s Entertainment Today as well as the Children’s BBC Shows “Best of Friends” and “The Tiny and Mr Duk Show”.  She is also an ambassador for the charity Born Free.  Kym made her theatrical debut aged 10 in the title role of “Annie” at the Liverpool Empire.

EastEnders’ Shaun Williamson also makes his London theatrical debut in the role of superstar DJ ‘Monty’, the flamboyant and sleazy ladykiller in charge of the wheels of steel at New York’s Odyssey nightclub.  Shaun is probably best known for his role as the hapless but loveable ‘Barry Evans’ in BBC1’s top rated drama serial EastEnders, a role he played for 9 years.  He recently left the show after one of the most talked about soap exits: pushed off a cliff by evil ‘Janine Butcher’.  He was recently on our screens presenting ITV1’s innovative “24 Hour Quiz”, won “Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes” as Meatloaf, and earlier this year was the high-point scoring winner of “Celebrity Mastermind 2004”.

 “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” has a cast of 30 and also includes Stephane Anelli as ‘Tony Manero’, Zoe Ebsworth as ‘Stephanie Mangano’ and Alex Jessop as ‘Bobby C’. 

“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”, based on the classic 1977 film, fuses a blistering soundtrack with some of the most groundbreaking choreography ever seen in musical theatre.  Featuring over 30 of the country’s hottest young performers and one of the best live bands around, this is a show for all the family, because whether its your first time or you were there when it all began, disco never looked or sounded this good……

Featuring 12 Top 10 Bee Gee disco classics, including ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Night Fever’, ‘How Deep is Your Love’, ‘You Should Be Dancing’, ‘If I Can’t Have You’, ‘Tragedy’, ‘Disco Inferno’ and ‘Jive Talkin’’, “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” brings the mean streets of New York City to life in an explosion of hot-stepping, glitter-ball spinning action.  Originally premiered at the London Palladium in 1998, this multi-million pound production has gone on to conquer Broadway and cities across the globe as the world remembers why it fell in love with “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”.

As The Mary Tyler Moore Show had parents laughing, kids roller-skated for their lives and some people got a little too attached to their CB radios, one film eclipsed all others: “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”.  In Brooklyn, ‘Tony Manero’ is a humble paint store clerk by day, but after dark he becomes the polyester-clad stallion king of the local nightclub.  Every Saturday night Tony slips into his flares, pulls on his huge-collared shirt and hits the streets to prove he can walk the walk, talk the talk and most definitely dance the moves.  Each week he parts the dance floor like the red sea as the club falls under the spell of the thumping disco beat and Tony’s phenomenal routines.  But as the club lights snap on at the end of the night and the real world returns, Tony and his disco obsessed friends must face the sometimes harsh truth of growing up in the tough urban jungle of New York. 

Released in 1977, the film of “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” made Oscar-nominee John Travolta an instant Hollywood legend.  The multi Grammy-Award winning music, written by the Bee Gees, became the definite disco soundtrack and the film captured the imagination of millions, making it the iconic movie for a generation.  It remains the best selling motion picture soundtrack of all time and songs from it regularly feature in Top Ten all-time lists.

From the producers of the hugely successful “FAME THE MUSICAL”, and in association with the internationally renowned music and movie producer Robert Stigwood, this acclaimed production will set alight the disco flame in London’s West End.  The production is directed and choreographed by Arlene Phillips with Karen Bruce as Associate Director.   The show has set and costume design by Eamon D’Arcy, based on original concept by David Shields,  lighting by Gavan Swift, sound by Mick Potter and orchestrations by Nigel Wright. 

EastEnders’ Shaun Williamson makes his West End debut in the role of superstar DJ ‘Monty’, the flamboyant and sleazy ladykiller in charge of the wheels of steel at New York’s Odyssey nightclub.  Shaun is probably best known for his role as the hapless but loveable ‘Barry Evans’ in BBC1’s top rated drama serial EastEnders, a role he played for 9 years.  He recently left the show after one of the most talked about soap exits: pushed off a cliff by evil ‘Janine Butcher’.  He is currently on our screens presenting ITV1’s innovative “24 Hour Quiz” and earlier this year was the high-point scoring winner of “Celebrity Mastermind 2004”.

“SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”, based on the classic 1977 film, fuses a blistering soundtrack with some of the most groundbreaking choreography ever seen in musical theatre.  Featuring over 30 of the country’s hottest young performers and one of the best live bands around, this is a show for all the family, because whether its your first time or you were there when it all began, disco never looked or sounded this good……

Featuring 12 Top 10 Bee Gee disco classics, including ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Night Fever’, ‘How Deep is Your Love’, ‘You Should Be Dancing’, ‘If I Can’t Have You’, ‘Tragedy’, ‘Disco Inferno’ and ‘Jive Talkin’’, “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” brings the mean streets of New York City to life in an explosion of hot-stepping, glitter-ball spinning action.  Originally premiered at the London Palladium in 1998, this multi-million pound production has gone on to conquer Broadway and cities across the globe as the world remembers why it fell in love with “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”.

As The Mary Tyler Moore Show had parents laughing, kids roller-skated for their lives and some people got a little too attached to their CB radios, one film eclipsed all others: “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”.  In Brooklyn, ‘Tony Manero’ is a humble paint store clerk by day, but after dark he becomes the polyester-clad stallion king of the local nightclub.  Every Saturday night Tony slips into his flares, pulls on his huge-collared shirt and hits the streets to prove he can walk the walk, talk the talk and most definitely dance the moves.  Each week he parts the dance floor like the red sea as the club falls under the spell of the thumping disco beat and Tony’s phenomenal routines.  But as the club lights snap on at the end of the night and the real world returns, Tony and his disco obsessed friends must face the sometimes harsh truth of growing up in the tough urban jungle of New York. 

Released in 1977, the film of “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” made Oscar-nominee John Travolta an instant Hollywood legend.  The multi Grammy-Award winning music, written by the Bee Gees, became the definite disco soundtrack and the film captured the imagination of millions, making it the iconic movie for a generation.  It remains the best selling motion picture soundtrack of all time and songs from it regularly feature in Top Ten all-time lists.

From the producers of the hugely successful FAME THE MUSICAL, and in association with the internationally renowned music and movie producer Robert Stigwood, this acclaimed production will set alight the disco flame in London’s West End. 

Nowt2Do.Com Love this show, check out reviews from the 2001 and 2003 touring version here.

2001 Touring Version - The Bristol Hippodrome

The Tick List

 Music

 Lyrics

 Story

 Sets

 Costumes

 Cast

 Overall
 

Dig out those Hot Pants and Flares, and get yourself along to the Bristol Hippodrome as the Fever is back.

That classic story from the hit movie has been brought to the stage. After storming London at the Palladium, Night Fever is docking in Bristol to give the fever to a new generation.  

The show focuses on the life of Tony Manero, perfectly played by David Sellings, with his strong voice and finely toned body, you easily forget John Travolta. Tony is the New Yorker with morals living in Brooklyn, working 9-5 and dancing in the Night Clubs on those infamous Saturday Nights. Along with Stephanie Mangano and Annette, Tony dances the night away whilst getting through life’s troubles and after seeing a glimpse of his way out, through the clubs of Manhattan. Does Manero have what it takes to make the transition by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge and tapping into the riches on offer? Zoe Smith and Bekki Carpenter who play the roles of Stephanie and Annette respectively are faultless in every movement and sound. Not forgetting the sub-plot that is really brought to life in Act 2 by Bobby C (Adrian Smith) we get to get a taste of 70’s New York.

There is very little wrong with this show. From the first chords of the Overture you are suddenly transported into the 70’s and although there is some dodgy scenery, you can’t help but enjoy the show, enjoy the disco and enjoy the music. This is feel good theatre at its best.

 The utterly brilliant choreography brought to life by a stunningly amazing and large cast, with bucket loads of talent and energy dances its way through the disco that is this show. From the opening number you know you’re in for a treat, none of the cast ever go wrong with any movement, all flawlessly practiced and perfected.

 The hysterical humour added by Monty (Steven Serlin) really Elevates this show’s experience. The Discos are back and masterfully recreated, and by the end of this show the audience were on their feet showing their appreciation and turning the Hippodrome into their own after-show disco.

Feverishly good music, lights, songs, singing, sets…well feverishly good everything. This is one show not to miss.

You can’t help wonder at this dazzling show, in every respect.

Go catch the fever before it’s too late.  

2003 Touring Version - The Bristol Hippodrome

The Tick List

 Music


Cheorography


Lighting and Sound


 Costumes


 Cast


 Overall
 

The metamorphosis of Saturday Night Fever from film to stage has proved highly successful and this classic production has once again hit the Bristol Hippodrome stage.

Initially we find ourselves wondering how the three interior scaffolding proscenium arches are going to be utilized. As the band blasts out 'Staying Alive' and the cast appear in their seventies gear the tempo increases and the excitement spirals.

The principal character of Tony Manero is well portrayed by Stephane Anelli, who first appeared in the original German cast. His versatile vocals and hip-swinging dance moves make him an excellent choice for this role. Tony lives in Brooklyn, New York and works a regular day job but spends his evenings dancing in local disco clubs. Dancing provides his escape from an otherwise humdrum life. His would be girlfriend, Annette, played by Jane Horn shows her brilliant and powerful singing voice to full effect in her solo, 'If I Can't Have You'. Her whole performance is warm as is her rapport with the audience. By comparison, dance partner Stephanie, played by Zoe Smith, is a little too cool for my liking, particularly in the first scene. 

What really makes the stirring seventies hit songs appropriate for today's audience is the inspired choreography of Arlene Philips, ably interpreted by the dancers. The sheer energy of both female and male dancers is breathtaking to watch. Of particular note is the Latino number performed with precision by Helen Dixon and Elia lo Tauro, both of whom have studied dance extensively. The ensemble dance routines display perfect timing and are stunning throughout.

A dazzling lighting display adds tantalizing colour which reflects off the aforementioned proscenium scaffolding, and especially so in the dynamic number, 'Disco Inferno'.  Large dashes of humour are injected by  George Clayton's portrayal of Monty, the D.J. and his rendition of the song 'Disco Duck' is a comic treat.

Whilst seemingly not as captivating as on the occasion of its last visit to Bristol, this show nevertheless offers a great night out and will have those seventies hits ringing in your ears - highly recommended.

 Buy tickets for events:

 PERFORMANCE  DETAILS:

Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm

Wednesday & Saturday at 3.00pm

Tickets priced from £15.00 - £ 45.00

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