Beverley Knight, Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, and Amari Brown in The Drifters Girl at the Garrick Theatre, London. Picture: Johan Persson
Michael Harrison and David Ian’s hit new musical The Drifters Girl will continue its debut West End run at the Garrick Theatre until February 2023.
Originally due to play a 20-week season at London’s Garrick Theatre from 4 November 2021 following its world premiere at Newcastle Theatre Royal a month earlier, the new musical inspired by the life of the woman behind legendary vocal group The Drifters is now booking through to 12 February 2023.
Developed by producers Harrison and Ian and tailor-made to showcase the talents of recording artist turned musical theatre leading lady, Beverley Knight (The Bodyguard, Memphis The Musical, Cats), the musical which is currently playing to packed houses in London puts the spotlight on Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of the group who, alongside her husband George, fought numerous legal battles to protect the integrity of the name The Drifters and protect the group’s musical legacy.
Originally formed as a backing group for singer Clyde McPhatter, the RnB and soul vocal group The Drifters debuted in the early 1950s. Over 60 vocalists have featured in The Drifters’ line-up and the group’s hits include ‘Save the Last Dance For Me’, ‘Under the Boardwalk’, ‘Kissin’ in the Back Row of the Movies’, ‘Stand By Me’, ‘Come On Over to My Place’ and ‘Saturday Night At the Movies’.
Knight stars alongside Olivier Award-winners Adam J Bernard (Dreamgirls) and Matt Henry (Kinky Boots), Tarinn Callender (Hamilton) and Tosh Wanogho-Maud (The Lion King). Knight will continue in the central role through to 2 July, with casting from that date to be announced soon.
The cast is completed by Marcus Ayton, Ashford Campbell, Ethan Davis, Vanessa Ela Young, Michael James Stewart, Alanna Leslie, Curtis Scott, and the young actors are Aurora Baptiste, Amari Brown, Savanna Musoni, Savannah Skinner-Henry and Shanyia Tsoto.
Based on an idea by Tina Treadwell and featuring a book by Ed Curtis, The Drifters Girl was co-created by Knight, Bernard, Callender, Henry, and Wanogho-Maud. Directed by Jonathan Church, the production features set design by Anthony Ward, choreography by Karen Bruce, costume design by Fay Fullerton, orchestrations and music supervision by Chris Egan, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and video design by Andrzej Goulding. The associate director is Tyrone Huntley and associate choreographer is Myles Brown with casting by Stuart Burt and children’s casting by Jo Hawes.
Angela Thomas
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