Penny Rock Theatre Productions Ltd and Aria Entertainment present
an Inner Circle Production of
WHEN MIDNIGHT STRIKES
by Kevin Hammonds and Charles Miller
UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE, Highgate Village
London, N6 4BD.
Previews: 11th & 12th September.
Press Night 13th September, run until 29th September.
The critically acclaimed When Midnight Strikes finally returns to London!
After it’s sell-out run at The Finborough Theatre in 2007 where critics gave it…
Critic’s Choice – Time Out
Critic’s Choice – Sunday Express
* *** Time Out
**** Evening Standard
**** LBC
**** MusicOMH
… we are proud to be bringing the production back to London at this fantastic venue.
When Midnight Strikes has been produced all around the world including New York, Norway and Australia and it continues to lead the way in new musical theatre.
The musical theatre industry is frequently criticised for producing revivals and film based jukebox musicals, so it’s refreshing that a new piece of musical theatre can have the impact that When Midnight Strikes is having.
The synopsis:
New York, New Year’s Eve 1999 – the dawn of a new millennium – and Jennifer West’s intimate dinner party for close friends and family begins to fall apart upon the discovery that her husband has been having an affair. To make matters worse, she realises that the unknown mistress is one of eleven party guests. As the hosts confront their unraveling marriage, new resolutions, past mistakes, and an uncertain future merge into an explosive and life-altering evening.
Kevin Hammonds’ book is in turn hilarious and moving, the plot keeping the audience on tenter- hooks until the finale. With a score by Charles Miller packed with original show-stopping songs, When Midnight Strikes gives a remarkably accurate sense of the brittle gaiety of a New Year party, with all the tensions so often seething beneath the surface.
About the Writers:
Charles Miller (Music) and Kevin Hammonds (Book and Lyrics) were first brought together in 1998 to collaborate on a new musical based on the Vincent Price cult classic Theatre of Blood. The production was due to be “previewed” at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth before transferring to the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End. Unfortunately, a last-minute hitch with the rights resulted in the whole project being shelved. But fortunately, Charles and Kevin developed a great friendship and, undaunted by this set back, immediately started working on When Midnight Strikes. A few years later, Charles and Kevin wrote Brenda Bly: Teen Detective which had its world premiere at the Cochrane Theatre in London, soon followed by it’s professional premiere at The Bridewell Theatre, London. After it’s rave reviews and sold out performances, Brenda Bly: Teen Detective was published and is currently playing worldwide from London, Pennsylvania, Dublin, Malta and Texas to name a few.
Their Christmas musical Mr. Christmas won “Best Musical” at the NEPTA Awards, followed by a production in London. Other shows include No One In The World (London and New York), Build Me A Bridge (London and New York), R.S.V.P.A.S.A.P (London’s Cochrane Theatre), Big Top (Bridewell Theatre), Lost In New York, A Balsamo Family Christmas, (CBDT, Pennsylvania). Recordings include Avenue Q star Julie Atherton’s A Girl Of Few Words, Marc Joseph’s Clear Blue Sky, the original cast recording of When Midnight Strikes, and Just The Beginning: The Songs of Miller and Hammonds featuring a host of West End and Broadway stars.
Cast: To be announced shortly
Directed by Grant Murphy and Damian Sandys.
Musical Director: Christopher Peake
Produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Guy James
Associate Producer: Jason Haigh-Ellery
Associate Producer: Steve Boden for Imagine Theatre Ltd.
Associate Producer: Jim Zalles