Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Announces Cast for听 the U.S. Digital Premiere of Wise Children鈥檚 Critically Acclaimed Production of ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS To be Live Streamed from UK鈥檚 Bristol Old Vic.听
The One-Time-Only Live Streamed Performance to Benefit The Wallis on Saturday, September 26, 2020, 1 pm (PDT)
Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and Plush Theatricals, in conjunction with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, announces the cast for Emma Rice鈥檚 critically acclaimed musical听Romantics Anonymous, which will be performed live in the U.K. as part of a 鈥榙igital tour鈥� that will livestream in the U.S. as a benefit for a collective of theaters across the country, including The Wallis in Beverly Hills, CA,听on听听Saturday, September 26, 2020, 1 pm (PDT). This marks the digital U.S. premiere of the award-winning production, following the cancellation of the launch of its live U.S. premiere at The Wallis earlier this season due to the global pandemic. With book and direction by acclaimed adaptor/director Emma Rice, lyrics by Christopher Dimond and music by Michael Kooman, the show played to rave reviews at Shakespeare’s Globe and the Bristol Old Vic. The U.S. livestream is part of a week of performances that sees the show streamed live across the UK and internationally听from September 22听-26. The cast and crew have been in quarantine together in the UK and will remain so through the end of the run to ensure their safety and enable them to perform without socially distancing measures.
The cast features听Marc Antolin听(Jean-Ren茅),听Carly Bawden听(Ang茅lique),听Me鈥檚ha Bryan听(Suzanne/Mimi),听Harry Hepple听(Ludo/Remi),听Laura Jane Matthewson听(Young Woman),听Sandra Marvin听(Magda/Brigitte/Dr Maxim),听Philip Cox听(Father/Pierre/Receptionist),听Gareth Snook听(Mercier/Mumbler/Marini) and听Omari Douglas(Salesman/Fred). Antolin, an Olivier nominee, last appeared at The Wallis as Marc Chagall in听The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, described as an “enchanting production” (Los Angeles Times).
Ang茅lique is a gifted chocolate maker inhibited by social anxiety and Jean-Ren茅 is the boss of a failing chocolate factory.听When Ang茅lique takes a job in Jean-Ren茅鈥檚 struggling factory, a fragile听love affair unfolds. Funny, tender and painfully awkward,听Romantics Anonymous听is a delicious love story about breaking the mold and finding the courage to be happy.听Financial Times听described听Romantics Anonymous听as “a gentle, joyous, melt-in-the-mouth show,”听The London Times听said it was, “A sweetly funny, gorgeously tender musical rom-com,” and听The Guardiancalled it, “a multifaceted gem, chock-full of love, generosity and joy.”听Romantics Anonymous听was originally presented at Shakespeare鈥檚 Globe in 2017 and then remounted by Wise Children and Plush Theatricals in 2020.
Says Rice,听鈥淚 cannot believe that, in less than two weeks, Wise Children will be performing our beloved听Romantics Anonymous听to an audience 鈥� live! The last weeks have been filled with scrupulous planning and careful preparations to ensure the safety of the cast and crew. When we get onto that stage, under the lights, for a few short hours, we will forget our fears and remember other essentials in life; imagination, celebration, story, community and song. Hand in virtual hand with our audience, we will feel the joy and exhilaration of a collective experience, that sweet, delicious, much missed treat!鈥�
Tom Morris, Artistic Director of the Bristol Old Vic added, 鈥淭ickets for the streamed performances of听Romantics Anonymous听are flying out the door. Wise Children have shown once again that they are the company leading where the boldest theatre experimenters, artists and audiences alike, are sure to follow.鈥�
The Wallis鈥� Artistic Director Paul Crewes says, “Emma Rice’s gift for storytelling and her groundbreaking, uplifting and socially relevant work has made a significant impact on contemporary theatre.听Romantics Anonymous, her latest production, is truly a delicious love story with wonderful music and lyrics by Kooman and Dimond. It will certainly leave you with a smile on your face.”
Tickets for the live streamed broadcast of听Romantics Anonymous听are available per household for viewing on Smart TV, computer, smartphone or tablet. Patrons will receive a link and password which will enable them to view the live stream. Tickets purchased or听before September 19听are 15 British pounds ($19.65 + $1.31 processing fee = $20.96 US*, based on current exchange rates);听after September 20听they are 20 British pounds ($26.20 + $1.31 processing fee = $27.51 US*. Ticket sales are being handled by the Ticket Co. in UK, so prices are in British pounds, but credit cards will be charged in US dollars. Some exchange rates may apply. For tickets and information, visit听听or call听310.746.4000听(Tue.-Fri. 9:30 am听鈥� 2:30 pm).
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