Show Boat

Gillian Lynne Theatre

4.6/5 based on 36 reviews (read reviews)

Booking until: Saturday, 27 August 2016
Running time: 2 hours 40 minutes

This show is now closed

Theatregoers (92%) i

Show Boat photos

Show Boat description

The hugely talented Artistic Director Daniel Evans is at the helm, with compelling designs by Lez Brotherston, amazing choreography courtesy of Alistair David, musical supervision and direction by David White and lighting design by David Hersey. The sound comes via Paul Groothuis and the video design from Tim Reid. The West End version is produced by David Ian, Bob Bartner and Norman Tulchin. And together, they make up a genuine dream team.

The production sold out in Sheffield's Crucible theatre, and audiences and critics alike adored it. As Daniel Evans said:

“Show Boat is often thought to be the mother of all musicals. Hammerstein and Kern's score continues to blow audiences away, almost 90 years later. As well as being a riveting story, the piece’s themes of family and freedom still speak to us today in a profound way. I feel proud that the production we made in Sheffield will now get to travel further afield and be experienced by yet more audiences in the capital."

By all accounts David Ian is thrilled to bits with the transfer, as is everyone else involved. A theatreland transfer is a sure sign of a show with a whole lot of crowd-appeal. The minute he saw the show in Sheffield, he had no doubt it deserved a place amongst the West End glitterati, and was determined to give London audiences the opportunity to see this brand new version of a legendary musical.

What's the plot? You can fully expect one of the world's most romantic extravaganzas. The action takes place in America’s Deep South at the turn of the 1900s, spanning four of the most dramatic decades in US history. It weaves a powerful story of loyalty, freedom and true love, and the results are epic... you'll adore the potent tale of the lives, loves and disappointments of three generations of one family, who run the amazing Cotton Blossom show boat on the mighty Mississippi River. Think of the classic soul songs Ol’ Man River, Make Believe and Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man and you get the exotic Deep South picture.

Daniel Evans is a multiple award winner and has been the Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres since 2009. In 2016 he's taking a new role as the Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre. He has a large collection of hard-hitters under his belt including Anything Goes, Oliver!, This Is My Family, The Full Monty, My Fair Lady, Macbeth, Othello and Racing Demon. He's also a fine actor, so knows exactly how to thrill an audience. Don't miss it!

Show Boat tickets – A musical with a big, generous heart

If you’d like to buy Show Boat the musical cheap tickets we sell every type of ticket, from bargain to top of the range, all with excellent availability.