Menier Chocolate Factory's Merrily We Roll Along on Track to Transfer to West End's Pinter Theatre

By Mark Shenton
08 Feb 2013

Mark Umbers and Jenna Russell in Merrily We Roll Along.
Mark Umbers and Jenna Russell in Merrily We Roll Along.
Photo by Tristram Kenton

The current London production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's 1981 Broadway flop Merrily We Roll Along, playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory through March 9, is being tipped to transfer to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, it will move there in April, after the current production playing there –Pinter's Old Times – ends its scheduled run on April 6.

Merrily opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory Nov. 28, 2012, following previews that began Nov. 16. It is directed by Maria Friedman, who has regularly appeared in Sondheim musicals in London and once starred as Mary Flynn in a Leicester production of Merrily We Roll Along herself. At the Menier, Mark Umbers plays Franklin Shepard, Damian Humbley plays Charley Kringas, with Tony nominee Jenna Russell as Mary Flynn.

Also in featured roles are Clare Foster, Josefina Gabrielle, Glyn Kerslake, Zizi Strallen, Matthew Barrow, Martin Callaghan, Amanda Minihan, Amy Ellen Richardson and Robbie Scotcher.

Maria Friedman, a regular Sondheim performer whose roles have included playing Dot and Fosca in the UK premieres of Sunday in the Park with George and Passion, respectively, as well as Mrs. Lovett opposite Bryn Terfel in Sweeney Todd at the Royal Festival Hall, makes her directorial debut. The creative team also includes designs by Soutra Gilmour, lighting by David Hersey, sound design by Gareth Owen, musical supervision and direction by Catherine Jayes and choreography by Tim Jackson.  

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7378 1713, or visit  www.menierchocolatefactory.com for more details.