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Preview by Paul Nelson
STAR of stage and screen Ruth Madoc (pictured above) appears
as Vera Van Strander in Brenda Bly Teen Detective, a new
madcap mystery musical due at the Bridewell Theatre.
Set in 1958 - a time of rock and roll, space discovery and great
hopes for a bright future, Brenda Bly Teen Detective is
packed with show-stopping songs, hilarious, fast-paced dialogue
and stunning costumes.
At the Whitney Ellis School for Girls, under headmistress, Vera
Van Strander (Ruth Madoc), trouble is brewing. Days away from
the opening night of the end of term musical, the leading lady
is knocked unconscious.
Yet again, it is up to teenage super sleuth, Brenda Bly, to solve
the crime, catch the villain and save the day. Will Darcy regain
her memory? Will the show go on? And will Brenda finally get her
man?
Ruth Madoc is renowned for playing Gladys Pugh in TV's Hi-de-Hi,
a role she played for eight years, becoming a firm household favourite.
On stage, Ruth has done everything from Shakespeare to musicals,
co-starring with the late Harry Secombe in Pickwick, playing
Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street and the legendary role of
Mama Rose in Gypsy.
In 2000, she played the role of Mrs. Ifans in the film Very
Annie Mary, alongside fellow Welsh actor,
Jonathan Pryce. In June 2003, Ruth was awarded an Honorary Fellowship
by Swansea Institute of Higher Education.
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Further casting includes Charles Shirvell (West End credits :
Phantom, Metropolis, Chicago) and exciting newcomer, Cassidy
Janson, as Brenda Bly.
Director and lighting designer Fenton Gray, Choreographer Sam
Spencer Lane, Set & Costume designer Amy Jackson, Musical
Director Colin Billing.
Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds have collaborated on several
shows, including Mr Christmas, which was awarded Best Original
Musical from the North Eastern Pennsylvania Theatre Alliance,
No One in the World and Build Me A Bridge, both
of which recently premiered in New York to much acclaim.
Fenton Gray's directing credits include The Mikado and
Iolanthe for D'Oyly Carte Opera, Madama Butterfly
for English Festival Opera at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Follies
at The Brighton Dome. For the past three years, he has directed
Julian Clary in panto for QDOS - in Amore at The West Beth
Theatre in New York and on the current national tour of Natural
Born Mincer.
Glenn Lee, producer, is an active supporter of new writing and
has produced the premiere of The Canterville Ghost, which
was 'picked up' and toured, starring Ron Moody, and, previously
at the Bridewell, the European premiere of Lucky Stiff (Flaherty
and Ahrens), starring Tracie Bennett, Frances Ruffelle and Paul
Baker. Glenn is also the founder of the acclaimed London School
of Musical Theatre.
Brenda Bly Teen Detective, by Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds,
Directed by Fenton Gray, Choreographer Sam Spencer Lane, Set and
Costume Design Amy Jackson, Lighting design Fenton Gray, Musical
Director Colin Billing. Produced by Glenn Lee at The Bridewell
Theatre, Bride Lane (off Fleet Street), London EC4 from August
28 to September 20 Tues-Sun at 7.30pm. Tickets 020 7936 3456.
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