UK premiere of HERE YOU COME AGAIN and MY FAIR LADY revival announced by Leeds Playhouse
Leeds Playhouse have announced a thrilling new Spring/Summer 24 season today, including the touching and hilarious UK premiere of the musical Here You Come Again using the music of icon Dolly Parton, and a revival of My Fair Lady with Opera North.
For the first time ever, all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits can be experienced together in rollicking and joyous new musical comedy Here You Come Again, which plays at the venue from 11 May-8 June 2024 ahead of a major UK tour and sights set on the West End. Packed with iconic songs including ‘Jolene’, ‘9 to 5’, ‘Islands in the Stream’, ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘Here You Come Again’ and many more, this lively and touching new musical tells the story of a diehard fan whose fantasy version of international icon Dolly Parton gets him through trying times. With her wit, humour and charm, Dolly teaches him a whole lot about life, love and how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps… even if your bootstraps don’t have rhinestones! This is one musical that is sure to make you smile. After success across the United States, Here You Come Again was originally written by two-time Emmy award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and Tricia Paoluccio (who also plays Dolly), and has now been adapted for the UK by acclaimed British playwright Jonathan Harvey.
Director Gabriel Barre said: “We are so excited to bring this gem of a show to the UK, following its successful regional tour in America, and to also set it in the UK with a brilliant new British actor playing the lead role of Kevin, along with a creative UK design team and fresh approach to the storytelling that features all of Dolly’s biggest hits, along with her wit and wisdom which the world needs today, more than ever. And, she will be gloriously brought to life by the American actress, Tricia Paoluccio, who has been stunning audiences everywhere embodying the spirit, humour, and heart that have made Dolly an enduring icon.”
The Playhouse will also join forces with Opera North once again to revive the award-winning musical My Fair Lady from 31 May-29 June 2024. This strong on-going partnership between two Leeds cultural giants will see the Playhouse’s Artistic Director James Brining direct this much-loved musical adapted from George Bernard Shaw's play and Gabriel Pascal's motion picture Pygmalion. Featuring Frederick Loewe’s ravishing score and a wonderfully witty book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, the production will feature members of the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North with additional guest artists performing a beautiful score including the classic songs ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’ and ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’.
Artistic Director James Brining said: “I am thrilled to be directing My Fair Lady and continuing our long-standing partnership with Opera North as we come together to create this iconic show. My Fair Lady is a show bursting with heart and energy featuring the most emotionally charged songs that always ignite powerful emotions, particularly when performed by the orchestra of and the -chorus of Opera North. This will be a production not to be missed.”
For full season information, please click here.