End Of The Rainbow - Trafalgar Studios

Review Summary

Average Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 review(s)



Latest Review: "Loved it! The music, the pathos, the humour and Tracey Bennett as Judy Garland .... brilliant. Hi..."

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A compelling look at the final days of the iconic performer Judy Garland makes its way to the Trafalgar Studios in November as Tracie Bennett takes on the role of the star alongside a cast that also includes Stephen Hagan and Hilton McRae. End of the Rainbow lies in stark contrast to other shows in the West End that deal with the work of Garland, with 2011 bringing the latest stage version of the movie that made her name  - The Wizard Of Oz – and that story’s prequel – Wicked – remaining in the West End after a long and popular run. But that is not to say that the musical will not be without its surprises and it promises to find places for some humour along the way, as Garland’s strong character shines through the darkness.

The stage musical follows Garland in London in the 1960s during a time in which drink and drugs rule her world. She is in London in the hope of giving her career a new energy and she looks forward to being the talk of the town once again. And whilst this image of her is a far cry from the young and hopeful Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, End of the Rainbow still portrays the performer as determined and strong, fully aware of the demons that are haunting her and keeping her head held high.

And London theatre audiences will have the opportunity to witness an acclaimed and experienced actress portraying Garland in the form of Tracie Bennett. She arrives at Trafalgar Studios having already played the role on stage at Northampton’s Royal Theatre and she does this on the back of a career that also includes She Loves Me at the Savoy Theatre, Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre and High Society at the Open Air Theatre. She has been the recipient of a number of Laurence Olivier Awards and has also appeared in various television programmes as well.

Meanwhile, her West End co-star takes the form of Hilton McRae, the Scottish actor who has previously appeared in various shows for The National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. His credits include a production of The Wizard of Oz on Southbank, in addition to Caroline or Change at the National Theatre and television shows like Holby City and Silent Witness.

End of the Rainbow appears at Trafalgar Studios 1 from Monday 22nd November 2010 (previews from Monday 15th November 2010) to Saturday 5th March 2011.