Former EastEnder Jonny Labey will step into the role of dance king Jerry Travers when The Mill At Sonning’s critically acclaimed version of the classic 1935 film musical Top Hat returns to play a special Christmas season.
The actor who is currently starring in the popular venue’s production of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park and was previously seen in the West End in Strictly Ballroom will star opposite the original production’s Billie-Kay (42nd Street, West End) who will reprise her performance as socialite Dale Tremont.
They will be joined by other returning cast members, Brendan Cull (The Book of Mormon, West End, Singin’ in the Rain, Mill at Sonning) as Bates, and Paul Kemble (School of Rock, West End) as Horace, with Julia Nagle (Dirty Dancing, Piccadilly Theatre/UK tour) as Madge and Andy Rees (School of Rock, Gillian Lynne Theatre) as Beddini.
Award-winning director Jonathan O’Boyle’s spectacular new production of Top Hat was the final production of 2021 at the distinctive Thameside venue. Top Hat will play its second festive season from 16 November until 30 December 2022.
The returning creative team also includes the choreographer Ashley Nottingham, set designer Jason Denvir, sound designer Chris Whybrow, musical arranger Francis Goodhand, musical director Chris Poon and lighting designer Nic Farman.
Featuring the timeless music of Irving Berlin and based on the screenplay by Dwight Taylor and Allan Scott, the musical version of the much-loved RKO musical comedy features a book by Matthew White and Howard Jacques. The most successful film to feature the partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Top Hat tells the story of Broadway sensation Jerry Travers and his efforts to win the heart of society girl Dale Tremont and includes Berlin classics including ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’, ‘Cheek to Cheek’, ‘Isn’t This a Lovely Day’ and ‘Top Hat, White Tie and Tails’.
The venue has also announced three more productions for its current season including a new production of the classic musical Gypsy next summer. Running from 24 May until 15 July, the production will be created by the team behind The Mill’s critically acclaimed productions of My Fair Lady and Singin’ in the Rain – director Joseph Pitcher and musical arranger Francis Goodhand.
Next year will open with comedy We’ll Always Have Paris (19 January-11 March) followed by director Tam Williams’ version of Noël Coward’s 1920s comedy Hay Fever (16 March-13 May).
Angela Thomas
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