"Well worth waiting 90 years for": Mark Giesser exceedingly long-overdue UK premiere of the Gershwins' STRIKE UP THE BAND has been attracting some great reviews as well as two Offies nominations. "All who profess to love musical theatre would be insane to miss it." What else have critics said?
Written with George S Kaufman in 1927, the original script for Strike Up The Band was rewritten by Morrie Ryskind in 1930. This production presents the original, with the dark satire on America’s war-mongering over a trade deal re-established.
In 1927, Horace J Fletcher is a typical self-made American businessman. His cheese factory dominates the market, he influences the White House, and he’s secured his business future by agreeing to marry his daughter, Joan, to his factory manager. He does have one problem. Switzerland has the audacity to protest America’s heavy new tariff on imported cheese.
Fletcher convinces the US government to declare war, backing it with his bucks. Jim Townsend, a newspaperman, suspects all may not be wholesome, but he and Joan fall for each other. Will making the world safe for American cheese be more than just a walk in the Alps?
Strike Up the Band runs from 6 to 31 March 2019 at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD, with performances Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 4pm. Tickets are priced £16-£20. Phone 020 8340 3488 or CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!
Offies nominations
Strike Up The Band has been nominated for two Off-West End Theatre Awards: Female Performance in a Musical for Beth Burrows and Musical Director for Bobby Goulder. Congrats to them both and the production!
Review highlights
