West End transfer revealed for Show Boat musical

Daniel Evans’ production of Show Boat will transfer from Sheffield to the West End in the spring of 2016, with previews beginning at the New London Theatre on 9th April.

The production is based on Edna Ferber’s novel of the same name, which tells the story of freedom, loyalty and love.

Set against the backdrop of America’s Deep South at the turn of the 20th century, the musical follows the lives of three generations aboard the Cotton Blossom show boat as it sails along the Mississippi River.

The show features famous songs such as Ol’ Man River, Make Believe and Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.

Director Daniel Evans  commented: “Show Boat is often thought to be the mother of all musicals. Hammerstein and Kern’s score continues to blow audiences away, almost 90 years later. As well as being a riveting story, the piece’s themes of family and freedom still speak to us today in a profound way.

"I feel proud that the production we made in Sheffield will now get to travel further afield and be experienced by yet more audiences in the capital.”

The sell-out production opened at the Crucible in Sheffield on 10th December last year before extending it’s booking to 23rd January 2016 following its praise by audiences and critics.

Show Boat is produced in the West End by David Ian with Bob Bartner and Norman Tulchin.

David Ian added: “I am absolutely thrilled, along with my co-producers Bob Bartner and Normal Tulchin, to be bringing Daniel’s ground breaking production of Show Boat to the West End.

"As soon as I saw the production in Sheffield there was no doubt in my mind that we absolutely had to bring Show Boat in to London, giving West End audiences the opportunity to see this brand new version of such an incredible musical.”

Show Boat is booking until 7th January 2017 and casting will be announced shortly.

For more information visit www.showboatmusical.co.uk.