‘Rebecca’, by Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, two of the most successful German-language musical theatre composers, had its world premiere at the VBW-theatre Raimund Theater in Vienna, Austria, in September 2006, where it went on to play to sold-out houses in three seasons, and where it is currently enjoying a successful revival.

Rebecca, with an orchestra of 18, will be directed by Alejandro Bonatto (director of the critically acclaimed production of Donizetti’s ‘Rita’ and the upcoming production of Francis Poulanc and Jean Cocteau’s ‘The Human Voice’ at Charing Cross Theatre later this month).

It has a new English translation by Christopher Hampton (two-time Tony Award winner Best Score &

Best Book for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and Oscar winner for Best Adapted Screenplay ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ & ‘The Father’) and Michael Kunze.

Rebecca, with 22 original songs, is a gripping thriller full of intrigue and surprises that sticks closely to the original novel. Wealthy Maxim De Winter brings his naïve new wife home to his Cornish estate, Manderley, where the manipulative housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, resents the new wife’s intrusion. She persuades her that she is an unworthy replacement for the first Mrs. De Winter, the glamorous and mysterious Rebecca, who perished in a drowning accident, with tragic results...

The world-famous novel was also turned into a celebrated Alfred Hitchcock film in 1940, starring

Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson, George Sanders and Gladys Cooper. It was

nominated for 11 Oscars, winning two awards; Best Picture and Best Cinematography.

Cast:

Richard Carson (Maxim de Winter) has appeared in several major West End musicals including ‘Les Miserable’s, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Miss Saigon’.

Lauren Jones (Second Mrs de Winter, ‘I’) recently appeared in the West End production of ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ as Trish and alternate Bonnie.

Kara Lane (Mrs Danvers) was Alice in ‘The Addams Family - the Musical Comedy’, Winifred Banks in ‘Mary Poppins’, Reno Sweeney in ’Anything Goes’ at Kilworth House, ‘Mary Magdalene’ in Jesus Christ Superstar’ and Magenta in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’.

The rest of the cast are: Alex James-Ward, Piers Bate, Sarah Harlington, David Breeds, Shirley Jameson, Neil Moors, Nicholas Lumley, Nigel-Joseph Francis, Elliot Swann, Scott McClure, Emily Apps, Melanie Bright, Gail MacKinnon, Tarisha Rommick, James Mateo-Salt, Rosie Glossop.

Creatives:

Original Book and Lyrics - Michael Kunze

Music and Orchestrations - Sylvester Levay

English Book Adaptation by Christopher Hampton

English Lyrics by Christopher Hampton and Michael Kunze

Based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier

Director - Alejandro Bonatto

Choreographer - Ron Howell

Musical Director - Robert Scott

Production Designer - Nicky Shaw

Lighting Designer - David Seldes

Sound Designer - Andy Johnson

Projection Designer - Matt Powell

Casting - Stephen Crockett / Grindrod Burton Casting

Producer - Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited

Worldwide Stage Rights: VBW International GmbH

Linke Wienzeile 6, 1060 Vienna, Austria

international@vbw.at

www.vbw-international.at

Now Playing

Mainstage

Jeeves Takes Charge

Book Now

First seen 45 years ago, the Olivier Award-winning and much-loved Jeeves Takes Charge returns to London for a short season at the Charing Cross Theatre after showcase productions at the Jermyn Street Theatre (“Brilliant” – Jeffrey Archer), The Tabard Theatre (“How on earth does he do that?” – Trevor Nunn), and a Christmas season at the Theatre Royal, Bath (“One of this year’s Top 20 Christmas shows – The Guardian.) West End, Chichester and RSC favourite, Sam Harrison, plays all twenty-two much-loved PG Wodehouse characters including Jeeves, Wooster, Florence Craye, Gussie Fink-Nottle, Bingo Little, Uncle Willoughby, Aunt Dahlia, and many more – in a bravura, tour de force, one-man performance.

Originally brought into the West End by Barbara Dickson and Bernard Theobald, together with Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jeeves Takes Charge is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

Do not miss this dazzling and extraordinary, strictly limited, run. Pip Pip!

by PG Wodehouse

Adapted by James and Edward Duke, Hugh Wooldridge

Lighting by Tim Mitchell

Sound by Paul Groothuis

Design by Caite Hevner

Directed by Hugh Wooldridge

Produced by Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions LTD.

In short, I can tell you that with absolute certainty you will be in for a ‘top hole, smashing, wizard, evening’, which after two hours will leave you breathless and dizzy with joy at the performance you have just been privileged to witness.
Theatre and Tonic ★★★★★

A welcome return then for Wodehouse aficionados and perhaps a useful introduction for newcomers, this lavish production features a remarkable central performance.
West End Best Friend

Harrison is excellent. He is clearly at home with both Wodehouse’s writing and this particular style of comedy. His bumbling delivery, physical comedy, rubbery movements and wonderfully eccentric mannerisms make him perfectly suited to the material.
Staged Theatre

Wooldridge’s staging is quite masterful, right up to curtain call during which Harrison takes his bow surrounded by the portraits of all the characters he has played.
The Spy in the Stalls

Harrison is magnetic, effortlessly funny and boldly dynamic.
All That Dazzles

once the production begins, the room changes to various locations and venues thanks to a wonderful combination of video projection, sound and lighting (compliments of Caite Hevner, Paul Groothuis and Tim Mitchell) in a way that is both shocking and outstanding. Truly superb work by the creatives.
London Theatre 1 ★★★★

With clever staging and a mesmerising performance, Jeeves Takes Charge is full of laughs from beginning to end.
North West End UK ★★★★

It’s nothing less than a tour de force and a model of infectious light entertainment.
Fairy Powered Productions ★★★★

A highly enjoyable night at the theatre.
A Youngish Perspective ★★★★

The staging is immaculately put together. Caite Hevner’s design is clever and dynamic.
First Night Magazine

It was truly an enjoyable evening, and the funniest performance I’ve seen for some time.
Theatre South East

for fans of the Wodehouse brand of comedy, this is an astute and appealing adaptation.
Theatre Weekly ★★★★

Funny, inventive and incredibly skilful, this is storytelling and multi-role performance at its very best.
Theatre Audience Podcast ★★★★

The combined effect is bright, lively and ephemeral, effectively catching the spirit of Jeeves and Wooster’s breezily carefree world.
The Stage

a delightfully lighthearted and entertaining show. Something we need more of right now.
Broadway World

a fun, very reverent take on the works of P.G Wodehouse, with a great physical performance from Sam Harrison.
The Theatre Flyer

the biggest achievement of the evening comes from Sam Harrison. The sheer amount of content he has to handle is extraordinary. He plays 22 (!) roles, switching between them and rattling through a near-impossible number of lines with great stamina. Harrison's technical skill is so admirable
Jack Stage

More Info

Show Archive: Rebecca

Now Playing

Jeeves Takes Charge

Video

Gallery