Sheridan’s Funny Girl is given a fresh twist

SHeRidan SmiTH (pictured right) is to play a brand new Funny Girl on the london stage.

The show, about american comedienne Fanny Brice, made Barbra Streisand a star on Broadway i n 1964. But it’s rarely produced, f or two reasons.

First, there are few actresses with t he acting and vocal powers to portray Brice.

Second, the show’s book has always been problematic.

Streisand had considerable influence over the creative team and, as a result, the second act is more like a Fanny Brice concert than a show with a story.

This problem is about to be solved. Harvey Fierstein (above), who wrote the script for new hit Kinky Boots, has been contracted to revise Funny Girl for the forthcoming production at the menier chocolate Factory.

david Babani, the chocolate Factory’s artistic chief, confirmed: ‘Harvey Fierstein will be looking at revising the show’s book and making it acceptable for an audience today.’

Rehearsals begin on october 19, but ms Smith has already started w working with alan Willi liams, the show’s music cal supervisor, and has b been reading with peopl ple at final auditions for ot other roles.

director michael mayer, choreographer lynne Page and other members of the creative te team have also had se sessions with Smith.

T The run at the chocola late Factory sold out in a m mat te r of hours. Pe Performances start on november 20 and go till march 5.

There’s an eagerness to transfer the show into the West end after that, and there’s a lot of chatter about Broadway, too, where i t will be something special to see Sheridan Smith’s name in lights.