Frances Ruffelle as Queenie in The Wild Party

Michael John LaChiusa’s The Wild Party will receive its first major London production at The Other Palace, playing from 11th February to 1st April 2017.

Directed and choreographed by 2016 Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie and starring Tony Award winner Frances Ruffelle, The Wild Party will be the inaugural production at The Other Palace, formerly St. James Theatre.

The Wild Party will run from 11th February until 1st April.

Synopsis

Set against a backdrop of Manhattan decadence and 1920's excess, The Wild Party tells the story of Queenie and Burrs, a Vaudeville showgirl and a Vaudeville clown whose relationship is marked by vicious behaviour and recklessness.

In an attempt to salvage their relationship, they decide to throw a party to end all parties – the guests range from a washed-up boxer to a diva of indeterminate age.

Audiences will play witness to midnight debauchery that turns into tragedy, and see what happens when the revellers have to sober up and face reality.

Cast

Frances Ruffelle will play Queenie. Frances is perhaps best known for originating the role of Eponine in Les Misérables in the West End and on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her performance.

Her other stage roles include Dinah in the original company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, Roxie Hart in Chicago and Frastrada in Pippin.

Further casting is to be announced.

More about The Wild Party

Based on Joseph Moncure March’s narrative poem of the same title, The Wild Party originally opened on Broadway in 2000 with a cast including Toni Collette, Mandy Patinkin and Eartha Kitt.

The production received seven Tony Award nominations, and a Grammy Award nomination for its composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa.

The Wild Party is produced by Paul Taylor-Mills, who has also been announced as the new artistic director of The Other Palace. 

For further information visit www.theotherpalace.co.uk.

(Photo credit: Fern Berresford).

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