News

Judy and Liza, the critically acclaimed musical experience, which reawakens Judy Garland and her daughter Liza Minnelli’s world famous 1964 London Palladium concert, is arriving at Folkestone’s Leas Cliff Hall on Friday 7 October as part of its premiere UK tour.

This dazzling production tells the turbulent stories of the legendary performers against the backdrop of their 1964 London Palladium concert.

Judy and Liza will take the audience through their triumphant highs, heart wrenching lows and everything in between against a backdrop of footage, photos and all of their most famous hits including Cabaret, The Man That Got Away, Liza with a Z and Over the Rainbow, performed in a stunning style by West End stars Emma Dears and Lucy Williamson, backed by a 4 piece band with Musical Supervision and orchestrations from renowned composer and MD, Michael England.

Liza and Judy

The piece has been written and produced by Emma Dears, who also plays Liza. Prior to writing the show, Emma enjoyed West End success performing in Sir Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon, Grease and Oliver before touring as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Lucy Williamson, playing Judy, has most recently enjoyed an extended run in the West End as alternate to Tracie Bennett in End of the Rainbow which also charts the life of Judy Garland.

Previous to this, Lucy performed in acclaimed productions including We Will Rock You, Les Miserables and the recent UK tour of Stepping Out. Michael England has worked as Musical Director on a number of acclaimed theatre productions including Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and recently directed the music for the 25th Anniversary cast recording and subsequent UK theatre tour of Les Miserables.

'Judy and Liza' well received in Liverpool

The show's writer and producer Emma Dears said: "When I worked in the West End, people always used to tell me that I looked and sounded like Liza Minnelli, so I looked into her life and the life of Judy Garland and became fascinated with their touching stories and the way that their songs highlighted and bookended various points throughout their time.

"I've wanted to write the story for a number of years, but now seemed to be the right time to do it. I feel that I now have the life experience and am of the right age to get the piece to the place it should be. We've enjoyed some amazing press and audience feedback from our preview performances in Liverpool and now is the time to get the show out onto the road so that more of Judy and Liza's fans can enjoy it. I hope that the story touches the audiences' lives in the same way that it's touched mine."

Judy and Liza is a show that is sure to enthral the whole family, taking the audience through every emotion from A to Liza with a Zee. So make sure you Come hear the music play, as the curtain rises on Judy and Liza.

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Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©