The Donmar Warehouse today announces Artistic Director Josie Rourke’s farewell production, Sweet Charity, choreographed by the world-renowned Wayne McGregor, who reunites with Josie after working on her debut film Mary Queen of Scots. Josie returns to the music of Cy Coleman who wrote the score for Rourke’s Olivier Award-winning production of City of Angels. The book is by Neil Simon and lyrics by Dorothy Fields.
Anne-Marie Duff will star as Charity, reuniting with Josie Rourke after the Donmar’s acclaimed production of Berenice in 2012. Arthur Darvill will make his Donmar Warehouse debut as Oscar.
For Rourke’s farewell production, all tickets at every Friday performance of Sweet Charity between 19 April – 31 May will be free to those aged 25 and under. SWEET FRIDAYS free tickets will be allocated by ballot. As part of SWEET FRIDAYS, the Donmar will invite schools from every London borough to see Sweet Charity for free. SWEET FRIDAYS are made possible with the generous support of Susie Sainsbury and the Backstage Trust.
During Rourke’s time as Artistic Director, YOUNG+FREE, has made over 15,000 free tickets available to those aged 25 and under. Enter the ballot for SWEET FRIDAYS tickets at www.donmarwarehouse.com
Josie Rourke said: “Part of my mission as the Donmar’s Artistic Director has been to create cheap and free access for audiences, particularly young people. Through the generosity of Susie Sainsbury and The Backstage Trust, I’m able to finish my time at the Donmar on the happiest of notes, with something I really care about – great theatre for all young people.
“I’m so happy to be joined in my final production as Donmar Artistic Director by the luminous Anne-Marie Duff, making her musical theatre debut, and the great Wayne McGregor. They are two of the finest people, and collaborators I’ve worked with, and this reunion with them, and the music of Cy Coleman is a joyous way to end a dozen years as an Artistic Director from the Bush to the Donmar.”
New York, 1967. Charity Hope Valentine is a dance hall hostess who “runs her a heart like a hotel”. At the hopeless end of a long line of users and losers, she meets Oscar, a mild-mannered tax accountant, and Charity Hope Valentine once again puts her faith in love.
“The minute you walked in the joint, I could see you were a man of distinction, a real Big Spender…”
Sweet Charity will be at The Donmar Warehouse Saturday 6 April – Saturday 8 June 2019.
