What's On... Curtains

When it’s murder on stage…

Photo: Richard Davenport

CURTAINS - February 11-15, 2020

It’s curtains for one unlucky musical star who meets a sticky end on stage on opening night and there’s only one person who can solve the mystery of whodunit.

Popular comedian Jason Manford brings to life the character of local detective Frank Cioffi as he heads up a star-studded cast in Curtains, at Norwich Theatre Royal from February 11-15.

He is joined on stage by Strictly Come Dancing star and television presenter Ore Oduba and West End star Carley Stenson for this laugha-minute comedy, packed with catchy songs, unforgettable characters and plot twists galore. From the Tony Award-winning creators of blockbuster shows Cabaret and Chicago, this production tells the story of Jessica Cranshaw, star of the new Broadway-bound musical Robbin Hood, who has been murdered on stage on opening night. The entire cast and crew are suspects. Detective Frank Cioffi, who just happens to be a huge musical theatre fan, has a nose for crime and an ear for music, and has his work cut out trying to find the killer whilst giving the show a lifeline.

Jason is known to television viewers and radio listeners as a comedian and presenter. He has been a team captain on the Channel 4

panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats and has presented numerous television shows for BBC and ITV including Comedy Rocks, The One Show, Show Me the Funny, A Question of Sport: Super Saturday and Bigheads.

Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba will play Aaron Fox. He won the 14th series of the dance show in 2016 and has now become a familiar face on primetime and daytime television with presenting credits including BBC’s One Show and ITV’s This Morning. He recently made his theatrical debut as Teen Angel in the UK Tour of Grease.

Musical theatre actress Carley Stenson will play Georgia Hendriks. She has recently starred as Fantine in Les Misérables in London’s West End. Her other West End credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical and Lady of the Lake in Spamalot. She has also played Christine Colgate in the UK Tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, touring to Norwich in October 2015. Carley also starred as Steph Cunningham in Channel Four’s Hollyoaks.

Joining them on stage is Alan Burkitt, who plays Bobby. Alan was in the original West End cast of Top Hat and then went on to play the lead role of Jerry Travers in the UK national tour, appearing on the Theatre Royal stage in April 2015. His other theatre credits include We Will Rock You in the West End, and Singin' in the Rain and 42nd Street both at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Also making a return to Norwich is Rebecca Lock who will play Carmen. She played Mrs Banks in the national tour of Mary Poppins, coming to Norwich in Summer 2016. Most recently, she has starred in Heathers The Musical in London. Her other West End credits include MAMMA MIA!, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats.

Samuel Holmes, who is Christopher Belling, has also visited Norwich before, in Shrek The Musical in Summer 2018 when he played pint-sized villain Lord Farquaad. He most recently starred in the UK tour of The Wedding Singer. His West End credits include Mrs Henderson Presents and Spamalot.

And Leah West, who previously starred in Disney's Film Beauty and the Beast and the ITV drama Unforgotten, will play Niki Harris. Her previous theatre credits include Grand Hotel and Allegro, both at Southwark Playhouse, and the UK Tour of The Smallest Show On Earth.

They are all joined by Emma Caffrey as Bambi, Adam Rhys-Charles as Daryl Grady, Martin Callaghan as Oscar Shapiro, Minal Petal as Johnny Harmon and Mark Sangster as Sidney.

Joining them in the ensemble are Kathryn Barnes, Pamela Blair, Charlie Johnson, Kate Ivory Jordan, Robin Kent, Thomas Lee-Kid, Ben Mundy, Gleanne Purcell-Brown and Samuel John-Humphreys.

Judy Foster, of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “If you like your music delivered with a dollop of comedy then Curtains could be the show for you. It’s fast-paced, full of twists and turns, bucketloads of witty humour and some really great big show-stopping musical numbers, plus a stellar cast – guaranteed to bring some warmth to the cold, grey days of February.”

The show is suitable for ages 12+.

SHOW INFORMATION: Curtains, Tuesday 11 to Saturday 15 February, 2020. Eves 7.30pm. Wed, Thu & Sat matinee 2.30pm. Tickets £10-£49.50.

Discounts for Friends, Over 60s and Groups. Captioned performance Saturday 15 February 2.30pm For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk