Andrew Lloyd Webber’s eagerly-anticipated Cinderella will debut at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre this year following the departure of the venue’s current show School of Rock.
Based on an original idea by Killing Eve screenwriter and actress Emerald Fennell (currently playing Camilla Parker Bowles in the high-profile Netflix series The Crown), the new version of the classic fairy tale will receive its world premiere in September at the venue following a seat upgrade and refurbishment work.
Featuring a new score by Lloyd Webber and lyrics by mult-award-winning writer David Zippel (City of Angels, The Goodbye Girl) the production will be directed by Laurence Connor who will reunite with his choreographer for School of Rock and the recent London Palladium revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, JoAnn Hunter.
Announcing details of the production Lloyd Webber said: “I have long wanted to write my own version of Cinderella but could never find a take on the classic story that really grabbed me. Emerald Fennell has written something truly exciting and original, and the moment I read her outline I knew I’d found my latest collaborator. I’m very pleased to be working with David Zippel, a hugely witty lyricist, once again.
“I’m also excited to be reunited with Laurence and JoAnn, who I loved creating School of Rock with and who delivered a knock out Joseph last summer at the London Palladium, where it rightfully returns in June.”
Further creative and casting details will be announced at a later date.
The Gillian Lynne Theatre will close for internal upgrade work following the final performance of School of Rock The Musical which will end its popular West End run after playing more than 1,400 performances on 1 March. The show will be heading out on a major UK tour launching in February 2021.
Commenting on the new chapter in the School of Rock story, Lloyd Webber added: “I’ve been thrilled by School of Rock’s success around the world, especially in the West End. I’m very glad that so many kids have seen the show and been inspired to pick up an instrument and take up music after seeing what our young performers do live every night. There are local language productions now planned around the world, and I’m particularly keen to see the Chinese kids band rock out in due course!”
A hit with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, the record smashing show inspired by the 2003 Jack Black film was written by Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater with a book by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, was the first new musical from a British composer and producer to make its debut on Broadway.
The world premiere Broadway production opened in November 2015 where it helped Lloyd Webber become the first composer in 60 years to have four shows on Broadway since Rodgers and Hammerstein. Sunset Boulevard joined School of Rock, Cats and The Phantom Of The Opera on the Great White Way. The Broadway production ran for three years at the Winter Garden Theatre and was followed by an 18-month US national touring production.
The West End production of the show featuring TV comedy star David Fynn as the wannabe rocker turned teacher originally played by Black in the film was similarly well-received when it opened in London in 2016.
Angela Thomas
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