Fans of variety theatre and musicals can delight in a celebration of one of Britain’s brightest theatrical stars, Gertrude Lawrence, with A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 3 May.
Gertrude Lawrence was a charismatic stage star who excelled in sophisticated musical comedies, one of the brightest stars of the first half of the 20th century.
And, Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening is a show that tells her story. It’s funny and revealing and full of songs from London’s variety theatre, and hits written for her by the likes of playwright Noel Coward, composers Gershwin and Kurt Weill, and theatre-writing team Rodgers and Hammerstein.
From her childhood in Clapham to performing in London’s nightclubs and revues, Noel Coward wrote Private Lives for Lawrence, and she became the leading lady of her time in the West End and on Broadway.
Gertrude Lawrence: What a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening is the latest collaboration between actor, classical singer and theatre-maker Lucy Stevens, and pianist and fellow and professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Elizabeth Marcus.
It follows their previous acclaimed play with music, Virginia Woolf: Killing the Angel, which weaved the life and writing of the author with songs by Woolf’s contemporaries. Stevens and Marcus have toured the UK and worldwide and featured on BBC radio.
This is a Pick Your Price show meaning audiences can select a ticket price that works best for them, making a range of shows accessible. Ticket options start at just £8.
Gertrude Lawrence: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening will be at Theatre Royal Winchester on Wednesday 3 May at 7.30pm. Recommended age: 12+. For more information or to book tickets visit: theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 840 440.
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