Come Dancing - Ray Davies new musical July 16, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Musicals, Theatre Royal Stratford East, come dancing, dates , trackbackCome Dancing with the Kinks
Come Dancing, is a new musical written by former Kinks singer-songwriter Ray Davies. It will open at the Theatre Royal Stratford East for a short run (13 September to 25 October 2008) before a possible West End transfer. Although the title comes from a song written by Davies in 1983 the show is not a jukebox musical. Original music and lyrics have been written by Davies. The multi-talented Davies (no mean poet as well as song writer) originated the story and co-wrote the book with Paul Sirett, there’s also additional material by Terry Johnson.The show will be directed by Theatre Royal Stratford East’s artistic director Kerry Michael.
The Story
Come Dancing is set in the Ilford Palais in the 1950s. According to the web site it:
“takes us back to a time when Saturday night dancing at the local palais was the magical, not-to-be-missed highlight of every young person’s week”.
Back in 2000 in an interview with Rolling Stone Davies said:
“‘Come Dancing’ is a musical with lots of actors and actresses. It’s about my sisters and how they lived through that time in post-war Britain.”
Ray Davies
Londoner Ray Davies was the frontman and main song writer for The Kinks from the early days (1963) to the end of the band in mid-1990s. He wrote classic hits such as “You Really Got Me”, “All Day and All of the Night”, “Lola”, “Waterloo Sunset”, “Do It Again” and one of my particular favourites “Muswell Hillbilly Boy”. As I mentioned he’s also a published author of both fiction and poetry.
My thoughts on Come Dancing
It’s been a long time coming but it might just be worth the wait. It had a pretty good eight week workshop at the National way back in 2000 and has been promised for further development ever since. Now I’m a Kinks fan of old and I think Ray Davies is a brilliant song writer so I will definitely be hoping to see this at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. I just wonder if Come Dancing will finally make it to the West End, we shall see….
Come Dancing Kinks Video
Meanwhile here’s a video taster of Come Dancing
Hi Linda,
thanks for your great article about “Come Dancing” and Ray Davies. I am also an old Kinks Fan since 1964 and can’t wait to see Ray’s musical.
Best regards from Suttgart,
Dieter
Hi Dieter
I went on Friday and my first impressions are here Come Dancing Reviews and Previews
A few of us went to see the show last night and it was fantastic, we all really enjoyed it. Great music, great acting and of course you also get to listen to the great man Mr Ray Davies.
Felt like booking up agian to see it, hope it makes it to the West end.
Good news is that the run at Theatre Royal Stratford East has been extended a little until November 8th so that gives more people a chance to see Come Dancing while it’s still only in the delightful little theatre just down the Romford Road from the original Ilford Palais.
There is some word that it may come to NYC next for a trial run…!!!
Let’s hope there is some justice in the world and ot goes beyond that and all the way to Boradway and is a huge hit ! Not only does Ray deserve it, the theatre loving public deserve it. It’s pure magic and entertainment and its best ! I travled from the US to see it, and while in London saw it 4 times and even I can’t wait for it to come to the US so I can see it again ! Don’t miss it !
“Come Dancing ” is fantastic!! I came in from New York and went two nights and loved every minute. Theatre at its finest. Energetic cast and Ray at his best. Run don’t walk to see this play before it ends.
Hopefully it will move to Broadway and the West End.