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Local
actor cast in a cast for musical production
West Side Story
Yarm Princess Alexandra Auditorium
Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th April
2017
Director and
Choreographer JOANNE HAND
Musical
Director NIGEL BALL
Being cast
as Tony in the musical classic West Side Story has more than one meaning for
local actor Neil Harland.
 |
| Neil Harland |
Neil was
all set to play one of the lead roles in Spamalot (NETG Review)
with local theatre company Darlington Operatic Society, but unfortunately just
2 weeks before the show was due to open, Neil suffered a torn achillies tendon
and had to pull out of the production. He did not miss out completely, however,
as Neil attended every performance and acted as an ‘off stage’ singer.
But Neil
took advice from one of the Spamalot songs and he ‘looked on the bright side of
life’ in preparation for the company’s current production - West Side Story.
Neil told
us “I was absolutely distraught when it was clear I would have to pull out of
Spamalot – all credit to Luke Oldfield who came in at the last minute to play
the role of Dennis / Sir Galahad with just 5 rehearsals before opening night.”
He continued “I attended the West Side Story auditions on crutches and with my
leg still in a heavy cast, I had to sit during the entire audition so didn’t
feel I had given of my best, so to get the call later that day telling me I had
landed the lead role was an absolute joy and a great pick-me-up.”
West Side
Story is a modern day telling of Romeo and Juliet – a story of love, hate,
anger and intolerance. Set in the height of 1950s New York gangland, the Jets, and a new
gang of Puerto Ricans, the Sharks, are deadly rivals. The bitterness of youth,
racial stereotypes and a passionate defence of home territory results in
regular ‘rumbles’ between the two gangs. When Tony – the once leader of the
Jets falls in love with Maria – the sister of Bernardo, leader of the Sharks,
their lives take a dramatic twist and life will never be the same again. A
passionate love affair begins amid some of the best songs ever written for musical
theatre including the classics “Something’s Coming”, “Maria”, “Tonight”, “One
Hand, One Heart” and “I Have A Love”.
Neil will
play opposite Rhiannon Walker (Maria) supported by Karen Stone (Anita), Edwin
Taylor (Riff), Jason Slater (Bernardo), a full cast of 30 performers and a 19
piece live orchestra who will all be working full-out to ensure West Side Story
reaches the West End production values expected from Darlington Operatic
Society.
Company
spokesman Julian Cound said “We continually look to improve
show on show – regardless of the glowing reviews we always get, we have a
young, talented company that wants to work hard, learn and improve, which is
just what any production team wants to hear. From what I have seen in the early
stages of rehearsals this is going to be an emotional and energetic spectacular
for audiences – be prepared to be dazzled by the choreography and ride an
emotional rollercoaster.”
Tickets:
Darlington
Operatic Society presents West Side Story at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium
in Yarm from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 April. Tickets are £16 for adults and £12
for children (14 and under) and are on sale now by calling the ticket hotline
on 01325 244 659 or by booking online at www.darlingtonos.org.uk
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