The show will play at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre for a limited run, during which both cast and crew will undergo the new FRANKD tests to ensure all possible safety measures. Starring Jay McGuiness and Kimberley Walsh, the play tells the story of a single father and a feisty journalist living in opposite places in the country, but maybe about to gather for the first time thanks to his ten-year-old’s help.
It’s finally happened – show will go on! Producers of the upcoming musical Sleepless have just announced the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre will host its first indoor performances by the end of the next month. Taking all the necessary safety measures to ensure social distancing, thanks to the venue’s vast space, both artists and crew will undergo the new FRANKD tests (Fast, Reliable, Accurate, Nucleic-based Kit for Covid19 Diagnostic Detection), which can provide the results within an hour after the swab is taken – no lab required.
“We are so excited to be leading the way for our industry and to be the first fully staged, indoor musical back up and running and we have been working around the clock to make it possible”, said producers Michael Rose and Damien Sanders. “Uppermost in our minds has been the safety of our cast and crew and this new fast and accurate technology from GeneMe allows us to lead the way once more with daily COVID testing, which can give everyone involved peace of mind and create a happy and safe working environment. This technology is currently being trialled by airports, government departments, sports teams and multinational companies in the UK and we are delighted to be the first to trial the system in the theatre and live event industry”.
Starring Jay McGuiness and Kimberley Walsh, the musical tells the story of Sam, a widower who moves to Seattle with his ten-year-old child Jonah after tragically losing his wife. After forcefully calling to a radio show and talk about his sore feelings, he unexpectedly becomes the most sought single man in America – and a juicy piece of news for the feisty journalist Annie. Although they live in opposite sides of the country, could it be that Jonah will bring the two of them together on the top deck of the Empire State Buiding?
Further cast includes Daniel Casey as Walter, Harriet Thorpe as Eleanor, Tania Mathurin as Becky and Jake Sharp as Rob. The list is completed by Charlie Bull, Colin Burnicle, Christie-Lee Crosson, Laura Darton, Leanne Garretty, Matt Holland, Ross McLaren, Gary Murphy, Dominique Planter, Annie Wensak and Benjamin Wong. Theo Collis, Mikey Colville and Jobe Hart and Jack Reynolds, who will share the role of Jonah.
Sleepless will run from August 25th to September 27th, with performances from Tuesday to Saturday at 7.45 pm (changing to 7 pm from September 1st) and 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased from £15 by writing to the following address: customers@kxtickets.com.
First Night Magazine 