UK Premiere of Side Show at the Southwark Playhouse

The long awaited UK premiere of the 1997 flop Broadway musical Side Show will run at the Southwark Playhouse from 21 October to 3 December 2016, in a new production produced by Paul Taylor Mills.

The musical, which features music by Henry Krieger, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, and additional book material by Bill Condon, originally opened on Broadway in October 1997 and ran for just 91 performances. A revival was remounted by director Bill Condon and opened on Broadway in November 2014 following a try-out in Washington DC and closed after just 56 performances.

The show has long been a cult hit, and made stars of original performers Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner. The UK premiere will be based on the revised material which was added to the recent Broadway revival.

"The Hilton Sisters make ends meet playing a headline act at a seedy side show, languishing under the rule of an oppressive ringmaster. But when spotted by a talent agent, they are thrust into the spotlight of the famed 1920's Orpheum Circuit. They soon become the highest paid vaudeville stars of their time, but whilst Daisy relishes the spotlight, Violet wishes for a quiet life with a man she loves, and who loves her. Can they balance their individual dreams with their inescapable physical connection? Side Show is a heartwarming search for first love and acceptance, amidst the spectacle of fame and scrutiny under the spotlight."

The score is written by Dreamgirls composers, Krieger and Russell, and the production will coincide with the London premiere of that show at the Savoy Theatre, which opens in November 2016.

Casting for Side Show and further creative team are yet to be announced.

Tickets for the production are now on sale.