Less than 18 months after I helped give the Jon English and David Mackay musical 'Paris' a new lease on life the epic rock musical about the Fall of Troy and the Power of Love is knocking on the door of the world's musical theatre capitals.
In May, Foundry Productions www.parismusical.com held a spectacular concert/backers audition in New York of 'Paris' before a who's who of Broadway producers. Producer Chris Higbee's interpretation : casting all of the Trojans as Black Americans proved very popular.
Following the success of the concert - a number of major regional productions are being planned in California in 2005.
Chris hopes to return one day to New York - but a few streets away!
In London, The Starlight Theatre of Sussex will stage 'Paris' in April next year - before a possible short tour of regional centres.
Near Sydney - the outstanding production of Paris at the Laycock Street Theatre Gosford - which had 93% capacity - will return in February next year - under the new banner of Working Light Productions.
David Mackay is flying from London next month to workshop this production with Jon English.
Congratulations to Stella Entertainment for it's brilliant production in Melbourne in Jan/Feb which scored a rave review in the Melbourne Age www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/30/1075340836692.html and well done also to Paris pioneers Regals Musical Society, Palmerston North Boys High NZ and St Peter's College Adelaide.
Other productions in 2005 are planned in WA, Queensland and Auckland.