Full casting has been announced for the new actor musician, touring production of Betty Blue Eyes.
Fresh from his role in The Book of Mormon, Haydn Oakley stars as Gilbert Chilvers. Amy Booth-Steel (pictured right), most recently seen in The Light Princess at the National Theatre, will play Gilbert’s wife, determined social-climber Joyce Chilvers.
Set in 1947 austerity Britain, Betty Blue Eyes tells the story of humble chiropodist Gilbert Chilvers and his ferocious wife Joyce. When an invitation to the social event of the year fails to materialise, the Chilvers resolve that they must do whatever it takes to get their fair share of the banquet’s centrepiece – a rations-busting illegal pork roast!
Betty Blue Eyes opens on Friday 14th March at the Mercury Theatre before embarking on a 5 month tour across England in a new co-production between Mercury Theatre Colchester, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, Salisbury Playhouse and West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Haydn’s extensive theatre credits include Wonderful Town at Manchester Royal Exchange, The Secret Garden at Edinburgh Festival Theatre andPassion at Donmar Warehouse. He has also appeared in Wicked and Spamalot.
In addition to The Light Princess, Amy’s stage credits include the National Theatre’s production of She Stoops To Conquer, the UK tour of One Man, Two Guvnors and Sister Act at The London Palladium. Amy also made the final 12 in the BBC’s search for Nancy in I’d Do Anything.
Amy said: “Joyce is such a well rounded character as she has strength and wit, yet also shows moments of real vulnerability and warmth. She has some fantastic comic scenes with Gilbert and Mother Dear which are absolutely hilarious. She's so spunky! Nothing gets past Joyce. It's going to be such a wonderful challenge taking on this role and putting a fresh spin on it.”
Haydn said: “I saw the original production of Betty in London and had a fantastic evening. It has real heart and some fantastic musical numbers. I’m looking forward to giving Betty a new life with the company - I know the work we put into it is going to produce something special. I can already tell from the audition that I’m going to enjoy working with the director Daniel Buckroyd.”
Playing Mother Dear, Gilbert’s interfering mother-in-law, is Sally Mates. No stranger to musical theatre, Sally was in the original RSC and West End cast of Les Miserables. She appeared in the 25th anniversary concert at the O2 Arena, as well as the 2012 film. Sally has also appeared in the West End productions of Godspell and Fiddler On The Roof, as well as on popular TV shows Midsomer Murders and Wire In The Blood.
Director Daniel Buckroyd said: “Betty Blue Eyes is the biggest show the Mercury has produced in many years. Supporting Amy, Haydn and Sally will be 18 experienced actors, singers, dancers and musicians from the West End and the best of regional theatre. I'm delighted that we've been able to assemble such a fantastic multi-talented company of performers for the regional premiere.”
Andrew Wright is choreographing the production. His numerous credits include: Singin’ In The Rain (Palace/Chichester Festival Theatre/national tour), Barnum (Chichester Festival Theatre) and the new UK Touring production of Happy Days. Musical Direction comes from The Mercury Theatre’s Richard Reeday.
The full cast includes: Amy Booth Steel (Joyce Chilvers) Haydn Oakley (Gilbert Chilvers), Sally Mates (Mother Dear), Laura Baldwin (Veronica / Ensemble), Adam C Booth (Mr Lockwood / Mr Barraclough / Ensemble), Ricky Butt (Mrs Allardyce / Mrs Tillbrook / Ensemble), Rebecca Louis (Mrs Metcalf / Ensemble), Kate Robson-Stuart (Mrs Lester / Princess Elizabeth / Ensemble and Violin), Oliver Izod (BBC Announcer / Mr Nuttall / Ensemble and Accordion / Violin), Joe Maxwell (Mr Metcalf / Prince Phillip / Mr Cuncliffe / Ensemble), Tobias Beer (Mr Wormold / Ensemble and Violin), Jenni Bowden (Mrs Turnbull / Mrs Cuncliffe / Ensemble and Clarinet / Saxophone), Rachel Knowles (Mrs Lockwood / Mrs Roach / Ensemble and Trumpet), Lauren Logan (Kit / Betty Puppeteer / Ensemble), Matt Harrop (Mr Allardyce / Ensemble), Kit Benjamin (Dr Swaby / Ensemble and Violin) and Anthony Ray (Mr Atlee / Sergeant Noble / Reg Bowen / Mr Sutcliffe / Ensemble).
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