The multi-award-winning musical Top Hat comes to Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre from Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th July, the show’s final destination before it winds up its highly successful year-long UK tour.
With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and based on the RKO motion picture, West End hit Top Hat garnered three Olivier Awards: for Best New Musical, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design and won the Evening Standard Award for Best Night Out. It has also received glowing reviews throughout its UK tour.
Top Hat tells the story of Jerry Travers (played by Alan Burkitt, reprising his West End role), the famous American tap dancer, who arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont (Charlotte Gooch, also reprising her West End role), the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart.
Stepping into the shoes of Astaire and Rogers, Alan Burkitt and Charlotte Gooch are joined by Clive Hayward who returns as Horace Hardwick, the role he also played in the West End, Rebecca Thornhill as Madge Hardwick, Sebastien Torkia as Alberto Beddini and John Conroy as Horace’s valet Bates.
Performed by a cast of 29 and accompanied by 11 live musicians, this multi award-winning musical comedy includes Irving Berlin classics from the movie such as Cheek To Cheek, Isn’t It A Lovely Day To Be Caught In The Rain plus Top Hat, White Tie and Tails. In addition, from Berlin’s 1,200 strong back catalogue, a further 10 numbers have been added including well-loved favourites Let’s Face The Music and Dance and Puttin’ On The Ritz.
Top Hat is at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne from Tuesday 21st – Saturday 25th July 2015, with nightly performances at 7.30pm and three 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets from £30 – £44.50 are available to book online at eastbournetheatres.co.uk or through the Eastbourne Theatres box office on 01323 412000.