No time to snooze, Sleepless In Seattle could be a wake-up call
SLEEPLESS In Seattle could be the wake-up call we’ve been waiting for. A musical version of Nora Ephron’s classic 1993 romantic film, which starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, will run at the cavernous — and well ventilated — Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in NW London from August 25, pending Government permissions. Producer Michael Rose said the show would abide by Government health and safety protocols. NHS and care workers are invited to attend a free gala performance at the theatre, run by Tris Baker and Oliver Royds, on August 27. The show was days away from beginning previews back in March when entertainment venues were shut down. The 1,200-seat auditorium will operate under the 1m distancing rule to be introduced next month. Ticket prices will start at £15. ‘None of it will probably make economic sense, but on this occasion we just want to be a glimmer of light in the dark,’ Rose told me. The producer stressed that ‘we would never move forward without putting the health and safety of audiences and our company first and foremost’.
He said that the Troubadour had enough space to ensure people can be physically distanced.
Even so, a few actors’ representatives are requesting detailed information about their clients’ safety. The cast is led by Jay McGuiness, as widowed architect Sam Baldwin whose eight-year- old son Jonah calls a late-night radio talk- show psychiatrist to discuss his dad’s loneliness, and try to find him a new love.
Kimberley Walsh will play Annie Reed, a journalist listening in from New York, 3,000 miles away.
The show, with a cast of 18, plus 12-piece jazz orchestra, will hold technical rehearsals on gifted designer Morgan Large’s set from early August.
Sleepless In Seattle was originally staged at the Pasadena Playhouse in California several years ago. It was a hot mess.
Rose was asked to work on it; just about everything from the original model was scrapped, and fresh talent brought in to create a new book (Michael Burdette) and new music and lyrics (British songwriters Robert Scott and Brendan Cull).
Rose said NHS and care workers can apply for tickets via nhstickets@ thisisencore. co. uk. Please include a photo scan of your proof of work identity. For more details visit: sleeplessthemusical.com.