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The Sixties are coming back to Wimbledon as musical Carnaby Street opens at New Wimbledon Theatre next week.
Set against the evocative backdrop of London’s West End – its famous clubs, trend setting fashions and host of hippies and hipsters, Carnaby Street relives a time when the world was changing, London was its centre and for a new generation – anything was possible.
Inhabiting this world of mods, mini-skirts and mopeds, Carnaby Street tells the story of Jude – a working class boy from Liverpool – new to town, and armed with nothing but his guitar and his dreams of fame and fortune. Follow the highs and lows, the passion and heartbreak, of his journey in pursuit of stardom.
Featuring an era defining soundtrack, celebrating the most vibrant decade of the 20th Century, Carnaby Street is packed with over 30 solid gold hits including; Shout, My Generation, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Sweets For My Sweet, Roll Over Beethoven, Go Now, Keep On Running, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Twist And Shout, 54321, We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Do You Love Me?, and many, many more.
The musical is inspired by writer, producer and music industry legend Carl Leighton Pope’s real life experiences.
“In 1964 I was 18 years old. My father had a pub in Dean Street, Soho called The Crown and Two Chairman and I was an out of work actor,” he said.
“I worked five nights a week in the now iconic venue – The Marquee Club – the hottest club in London for new bands. The Who, The Yardbirds, Rod Stewart, Moody Blues and many more started their careers there in 1964.
“Being a mod meant I rode a Vespa scooter, bought my clothes in Carnaby Street and followed the cool bands of the time. The Who led the way. We fought on the beaches and lived for the weekends. Our whole lives were based around music. It told us who we were, who we hung around with, what girls we knew. What dances we did – in fact – our entire lifestyle. Soho was called the Square Mile, and that’s where the 60’s really began.
Directed by Bob Tomson, whose West End credits include Blood Brothers and Dreamcoats and Petticoats, Designed by Matthew Wright (La Cage aux Folles, Evita), choreographed by Carole Todd (Dreamboats and Petticoats, Soul Sister), with Music Supervisor Colin Cattle, Lighting Design by Nick Richings and Sound Design by Ben Harrison, Carnaby Street the Musical is the feel good show that never fails to have audiences dancing in the aisles.
Eastenders’ favourite Aaron Sidwell (Loserville, Children of Eden) re-joins the cast as Jack alongside Tricia Adele Turner (Legally Blonde, Blood Brothers) as Jane, Jonny Bower as Jack and Aimie Atkinson (Cannibal! The Musical, Dirty Dancing).
The show runs from Mon Sep 23– Sat Sep 28. For tickets call 0844 871 7646 or visit www.atgtickets.com/Wimbledon
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