Around a year-and-a-half ago, Julie Goodyear received a phone call asking if she'd consider reprising her iconic role as brassy, no-nonsense, pump-pulling, singing (singing?) Rovers Return legend Bet Lynch in a Coronation Street musical (that's 'musical'). Julie said 'yes', and along with honorary Street residents and superfans Paul O'Grady, Jodie Prenger and Russell Watson, Bet is readying herself for the worldwide premiere in a fortnight.
As part of the soap's fiftieth anniversary celebrations, award-wining lyricist Trisha Ward had previously helped create an album of original songs about the Street, sung by cast members old and new. After the warm response to 'Rogues, Angels, Heroes and Fools', the next logical step was to add a narrative and a few more original tracks, and stage it.
The Manchester show will see the Street's famous cobbles recreated in the arena and will include solo performances from some of the big names, including Julie Goodyear/Bet Lynch singing 'Nowt A Bit of Lippy Couldn't Solve'. The whole affair will be held together by Corrie fan, comedian and broadcaster Paul O'Grady with contributions from legendary Corrie figures including Bill Roache (aka Ken Barlow) and Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts) plus, of course, Russell Watson and Jodie Prenger. Street star Kym Marsh joins Prenger in playing legendary minx Elsie Tanner in the 1960s and 1980s respectively. Note that Watson is only appearing for the Manchester dates.
'Street of Dreams' premieres at the Manchester Arena (formerly MEN) on Wednesday 9th May 2012, followed by a second performance the following night.
After the opening hometown dates, 'Street of Dreams' heads out on the road with dates in Dublin, Belfast and Newcastle.
Odyssey Arena, Belfast. May 21st -22nd Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. May 29th -30th.
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joined:9/28/08
Posted: 5/14/12 at 12:18am