Jason Sutton plays Acting Captain Terri Dennis (in a Carmen Miranda moment) in Privates On Parade at the Theatre Royal, Brighton
Privates On Parade, Peter Nichols and Denis King’s rip-roaring – yet dark – comedy with songs comes to the Theatre Royal, Brighton from 22–31 August.
Set in 1948, the play features an entertainment troupe touring South East Asia to bring light relief to, and boost the morale of, the young soldiers still fighting the might of Chinese Communism. The play is based on Nichols’ own National Service experiences.
Jason Sutton (well-known for his drag persona Miss Jason) plays-cross dressing Acting Captain Terri Dennis as he romps his way through the jungle, along the way giving performances as Marlene Dietrich, Vera Lynn, Carmen Miranda and Noel Coward.
The production is being produced by Anscombe Production Associates (Tim Anscombe and Stephen Holroyd) who were behind last year’s The Boys in the Band and, earlier this year, the musical Diamond.
Co-producer Kevin Wood recently explained how the idea for the production followed on from the success of The Boys in the Band. It was seeing Sutton shedding his alter ego Miss Jason, and debuting as an actor, that planted the idea of him taking on the lead role in a play that Wood had wanted to stage for some time.
Sutton is joined on stage by Eric Potts, (Coronation Street’s Diggory Compton) playing Major Giles Flack, along with Tobey Nichols, Samuel Holmes, Harveen Mann, David Heywood, Richard Hadfield, Izaak Cainer and Richard Colvin.
Direction is by the experienced Carole Todd who promises that she will not be influenced by past productions but will be offering her own take to the show. Damien Delaney choreographs, while the design is by Stephen Holroyd.
Barrie Jerram
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