Chiswick Actors Take On Roles in Riverside's Gatsby

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Musical opens in Hammersmith the same week as the blockbuster movie

Two up and coming Chiswick actors will take on roles in a musical production of The Great Gatsby at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, this month - the same week as the long-awaited Baz Luhrmann film opens in cinemas- the film is scheduled to open May 10.

Jay Gatsby is being played by Michael Lindall, who like Imogen Daines, who plays Jordan, hails from Chiswick – as indeed does the musical director, Greg Arrowsmith.

The Great Gatsby will run from Tuesday 21 May - Saturday 8 June but will be in rep (May 15-8 June) along with the world premiere of Hutch, the story of a scandalous love triangle featuring Lady Edwina Mountbatten, played by Imogen Daines in her first stage role.

Taking on the lead role in Gatsby is bound to lead to comparisons with Leonardo DiCaprio's performance, but Michael Lindall is undaunted by the challenge. His previous stage roles include The Busy Body, The Belle’s Strategem, Love & Money, and Sparkleshark, all at Southwark Playhouse, and he will be seen in the upcoming feature film, Hammer Of The Gods. Matilda Sturridge – sister of Tom and daughter of Charles takes on the role of Daisy.

Michael Lindall (Gatsby) and Matilda Sturridge (Daisy)

Meanwhile Imogen Daines, who graduated last year from RADA, is working hard in rehearsals as she prepares for the world premiere of Hutch, the true story of a love triangle between Lady Edwina Mountbatten, black singer Leslie Hutchinson who was London's most popular cabaret attraction of the 20s and 30s and writer Cole Porter.

The affair scandalised British society at the time and Lady Mountbatten sued over the claims in July 1932. It plays at Hammermith’s Riverside Studios from Tuesday 14 May to Saturday 8 June.

Leslie Hutchinson's numerous lovers included Hollywood stars, debutantes, princesses and duchesses but it was the love triangle between Hutch, Cole Porter and Lady Mountbatten that would ultimately destroy him, emotionally, physically and musically. One of his most famous recordings was the Cole Porter song Begin The Beguine.

The Great Gatsby’s sold-out run at the King’s Head Theatre in Isington in 2012 led to three Off West Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Costume Designer and Best Lighting Designer and it was named Time Out’s Show of the Week.

Imogen Daines as Edwina Mountbatten with Sheldon Green playing Hutch

This new season at the Riverside Studios sees several new songs, new orchestrations and choreography by award-winning Lee Proud.

The rest of the cast - who all double up as musicians to play trumpert, violin, clarinet and double base - are Naomi Bullock, Ian Knauer, Patrick Lannigan,  Kate Marlais, Jonathan McManus, Alyssa Noble, Sid Phoenix, Henry Wyrley-Birch,

The Great Gatsby is adapted by Linnie Reedman with original music and lyrics by Joe Evans. Directed by Linnie Reedman. Designer Christopher Hone. Costumes Belle Mundi. Lighting Designer Seth Rook-Williams. Choreographer Lee Proud. Music Orchestrations Chris Walker

 

May 10, 2013