HIT West End musical The Drifters Girl, which tells the story of one of the world's greatest vocal groups and the woman who made them, will open its first UK tour in Southampton next year.
Having thrilled audiences at the Garrick Theatre in London since November 2021, the tour will begin at Mayflower Theatre on Tuesday September 12 2023.
Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who fought for three decades alongside her husband George to turn Atlantic Records' hottest vocal group into a global phenomenon.
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From the highs of hit records and sell-out tours to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, The Drifters Girl charts the trailblazing efforts of the world's first African American female music manager and how she refused to ever give up on the group she loved.
The Drifters Girl boasts an incredible soundtrack of some of the most famous songs of all time, including Save The Last Dance For Me, Under The Boardwalk, Kissin In The Back Row Of The Movies, Stand By Me, Come On Over To My Place, Saturday Night At The Movies and many more.
The Drifters are a long-lived American doo wop Pop R&B band, originally formed in 1953 from New York City. There have been over 60 members since then.
The production based on their string of hits received two Olivier Award nominations in 2022, for Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical. Beverley Knight, who originally played the role of Faye Treadwell, also received a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for her performance.
Knight was succeeded by Emmy award winner and Grammy nominated Broadway actress Felicia Boswell in her West End debut. She continues in the role until the show closes in London on October 15.
The touring production's cast is yet to be announced. Following the Mayflower dates, it will visit 11 other regional theatres right into 2024.
Prior to the West End residency, The Drifters Girl enjoyed a triumphant run at Newcastle's Theatre Royal last autumn.
- Tickets for The Drifters Girl, which is in Southampton from September 12 to September 16 2023, are on sale now at mayflower.org.uk or by calling 023 8071 1811.
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