A new musical by James Thompson & Ben Francis
CAST LIST
| Gloria Beatty | Libby Christensen |
| Robert Syverton | Derek Arnold |
| James Bates | Tim Frost |
| Ruby Bates | Danielle Fenemore |
| Mario Petrone | Federico Zanni |
| Jackie Scolari | Natalie Green |
| Rocky Gravano | Aidan Feore |
| Rollo / Mrs Higby | Delianne Forget |
| Mrs Layden | Nancy Baldwin |
| Rosemary Loftus / Mrs Witcher | Rebecca Todd |
| Guy Duke / Detective | Fraser Burrows |
| Jennifer Swenson | Jo Somner |
| Freddy Mansfield | Tom Idelson |
(Photo taken from rehearsals by Rebekah Kirk)
CREATIVE TEAM
| Music by | James Thompson |
| Lyricist / Book | Ben Francis |
| Based on a novel by | Horace McCoy |
| Director | Christopher Lane |
| Musical Director | Matt Winkworth |
| Producer | Stepahine M Leaf |
| Choreographer | Wilmot Mulley |
| Movement / Choreography | Rebecca Frecknall |
| Vocal Coach | Rebecca Cuthbertson |
| Stage Manager | Rebekah Kirk |
| Stage Assistant | Liza Bastock |
| Graphic Designer | Dara Jenkusky |
| Programme Designer | Colin Schur |
SYNOPSIS
The depression of the 1930s led people to desperate measures to survive. The Marathon Dance Craze, which flourished at that time, seemed a simple way for peopleto earn extra money - dancing the hours away for cash. But, the underside of that Craze was filled with competition and violence unknown to most ballrooms. (cited from Horace McCoy's novel).
The shows opens with the prosecution of Robert Syverten for the murder of Gloria Beatty. We then recall how the couple met. Gloria as a desperate woman is the heights of the depression who feels like there is nothing to live for. On her way to a Dance Marathon on the Santa Monica Pier over the Pacific Ocean, she meets Robert Syverten and the two form a bizarre co-dependant relationship and become partners in the dance. Following their every move and being their biggest fans is a sweet old lady by the name of Mrs Layden. Mrs Layden comes to watch Gloria and Robert every day for the duration of the dance until she is caught up in a tragedy.
The story also follows the lives of James and Ruby Bates, a young married couple who have competed and won many dance marathons before. However, this time Ruby is heavily pregnant and Gloria takes and instant dislike to this situation, continuously ordering her to get an abortion. When Ruby's husband James hears of Gloria's sickening words to Ruby he confronts her and they have a heated arguement which ends in a violent outburst between the two couples.
Also at the dance is Mario Petrone and Jackie Scolari a young couple whose lives get turned upside down when Mario is arrested for murder and Jackie is forced to dance alone.
The dance Marathon is controlled by a manipulative Emcee Rocky Gravano, who deliberately creates drama to entertain his paying customers who come to witness the dance, he is accompanied by his sinister sidekick Rollo who makes it her duty to keep the kids dancing.
Who will get sponsored? Who will last the duration? Who will survive?
MUSIC
ACT ONE
1) Song For the Prosecution (Prosecution, Defence, Robert)
2) My Last Shot (Gloria)
3) Everybody Has Fun Here (Full Company)
4) Getting By (Ruby & James)
5) What I could Do (Robert & Gloria)
6) The Sun on the Ocean (Robert)
7) One More Kick (Mario & Jackie)
8) Do the Slump (Rocky)
ACT TWO
1) Hey, Hey Mister, Pick Me (Full Company)
2) Nothing Left to Lose (Gloria)
3) My favourite Couple (Mrs Layden)
4) Do the Slump - Reprise (Full Company)
5) Behold the Bride (Rev Gilder & Company)
PHOTOS
The shows opens with the prosecution of Robert Syverten for the murder of Gloria Beatty. We then recall how the couple met. Gloria as a desperate woman is the heights of the depression who feels like there is nothing to live for. On her way to a Dance Marathon on the Santa Monica Pier over the Pacific Ocean, she meets Robert Syverten and the two form a bizarre co-dependant relationship and become partners in the dance. Following their every move and being their biggest fans is a sweet old lady by the name of Mrs Layden. Mrs Layden comes to watch Gloria and Robert every day for the duration of the dance until she is caught up in a tragedy.
The story also follows the lives of James and Ruby Bates, a young married couple who have competed and won many dance marathons before. However, this time Ruby is heavily pregnant and Gloria takes and instant dislike to this situation, continuously ordering her to get an abortion. When Ruby's husband James hears of Gloria's sickening words to Ruby he confronts her and they have a heated arguement which ends in a violent outburst between the two couples.
Also at the dance is Mario Petrone and Jackie Scolari a young couple whose lives get turned upside down when Mario is arrested for murder and Jackie is forced to dance alone.
The dance Marathon is controlled by a manipulative Emcee Rocky Gravano, who deliberately creates drama to entertain his paying customers who come to witness the dance, he is accompanied by his sinister sidekick Rollo who makes it her duty to keep the kids dancing.
Who will get sponsored? Who will last the duration? Who will survive?
MUSIC
ACT ONE
1) Song For the Prosecution (Prosecution, Defence, Robert)
2) My Last Shot (Gloria)
3) Everybody Has Fun Here (Full Company)
4) Getting By (Ruby & James)
5) What I could Do (Robert & Gloria)
6) The Sun on the Ocean (Robert)
7) One More Kick (Mario & Jackie)
8) Do the Slump (Rocky)
ACT TWO
1) Hey, Hey Mister, Pick Me (Full Company)
2) Nothing Left to Lose (Gloria)
3) My favourite Couple (Mrs Layden)
4) Do the Slump - Reprise (Full Company)
5) Behold the Bride (Rev Gilder & Company)
PHOTOS
For photos please click here or see in the Gallery Sub-Heading
PERFORMANCES
September 25th & 26th 7pm
(George Wood Theatre, Goldsmiths College, New Cross, London)