Memphis The Musical has extended its London run to October 2015 following its hugely successful West End premiere last month
Previously booking to March 2015, more than 320,000 tickets will go on sale this Friday for its new booking period at the Shaftesbury Theatre that now runs until 31 October 2015.
Starring Beverley Knight and Killian Donnelly, the Broadway hit officially opened to the London press in October when it was heralded as a triumph with an outpour of critical acclaim. Official London Theatre’s Matthew Amer gave it “Ten out of ten(nnesse)”.
Inspired by true events, Bon Jovi’s David Bryan and Joe DiPietro’s uplifting musical tells the story of the collaboration and love story between a white radio DJ and a black singer in the face of prejudices in 1950s Memphis.
Featuring infectious choreography and songs including Memphis Lives In Me, Say A Prayer and Love Will Stand When All Else Falls, the production marked recording artist Knight’s return to the stage to take on the role of emerging star Felicia Farrell following her acclaimed West End debut in The Bodyguard.
The Evening Standard’s theatre critic Henry Hitchings described the leading lady as “sensational”, while The Daily Telegraph described the Christopher Ashley-directed production as a “roof-raising evocation of the birth of rock ‘n’ roll,” praising its cast for providing “some of the most thrilling vocal work you’ll find on the London stage”.