The Songbook of Judy Garland announces early closure

The UK tour of The Songbook of Judy Garland starring Garland's daughter Lorna Luft alongside musical theatre stars Louise Dearman and Ray Quinn will now close on 11th July as Luft has to return to the USA for breast cancer treatment.

A press statement reads:

"Lorna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and finished her last treatment of chemotherapy in 2013. She has been clear for the last two years. Sadly, it has now returned. Lorna has now been advised by her medical team that she requires further treatment and extensive surgery. Consequently, Lorna will be returning to her home in the USA to undergo the necessary medical procedures. The tour, which opened in Edinburgh in May, will now finish at the Theatre Royal, Brighton on 11 July. Subsequent dates in Watford, Bromley, Darlington, Oxford and Woking have been cancelled."

Interview: Ray Quinn

Ray Quinn is currently starring in the UK tour of The Songbook of Judy Garland. 

Arlene Phillips’ show stars top West End performers including Louise Dearman and Darren Bennet as well as Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft. The cast perform numbers associated with Judy’s career, with the show also featuring film clips and interviews. 

Ray famously finished second to Leona Lewis on The X Factor in 2006 and won Dancing on Ice in 2009 as well as the ‘All Stars’ series in 2014. Ray’s debut album Doing It My Way topped the UK album chart in 2007, and he is currently back in the studio working on new material. 

His theatre credits include: Danny Zuko and Doody in Grease (West End/UK tour), Billy Kosteki in Dirty Dancing (West End), Warner in Legally Blonde (UK tour) and Billy in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (UK tour). 

I recently spoke to Ray about why he’s inspired by Judy, what it’s like to work so closely with her daughter and which stage role he has his eye on… 

How familiar were you previously with Judy Garland’s career? 

I grew up with that music. For my mum and dad that was their era and they listened to the music Judy Garland did and the shows she did with the likes of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire and all these people like Frank Sinatra who I grew up listening to. 

Review: The Songbook of Judy Garland (UK Tour) starring Lorna Luft, Louise Dearman & Ray Quinn

The Songbook of Judy Garland (UK Tour)
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 16th June 2015
★★★★

Arlene Phillips' new show The Songbook of Judy Garland celebrates a true musical legend. Jam packed with almost thirty songs closely associated with Garland's career, Christopher Manoe's production provides an opportunity to reminisce over classics and be reminded of forgotten gems.