New Earswick Musical Society presents Carousel, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, April 18 to 21 (From York Press)

New Earswick Musical Society presents Carousel, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, April 18 to 21

10:46am Friday 10th February 2012 in Theatre

HISTORY repeats itself when New Earswick Musical Society follows up last November’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first musical success, Oklahoma!, by presenting their second collaboration, Carousel, this spring.

First staged on Broadway in 1945, the show will run at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from April 18 to 21 at 7.30pm nightly plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

The musical revolves around Billy Bigelow, a carousel barker with a reputation for romancing the girls who visit the carousel. An encounter with mill worker Julie Jordan, who Billy finds particularly beguiling, leads both of them to lose their jobs. They marry but it is a difficult union, with love seemingly only travelling in one direction Penniless and jobless with a wife to support and a baby on the way, Billy allows himself to be persuaded by the no good Jigger to take part in a robbery. To escape arrest, Billy kills himself. After spending 15 years in Purgatory for being unrepentant for his actions, he is given the chance to redeem himself.

Billy discovers he has a daughter, Louise, and is permitted to return to earth for a single day to help her.

The show is being produced and choreographed by Ann McCreadie and the musical director is Don Pears. Principal roles go to Stephen Tearle as Billy Bigelow; Jo Pears, as Julie Jordan; Perri Barley, Carrie; Andy Stone, Mr Enoch Snow; Tim Richardson, Jigger; Colin Dearlove, Starkeeper; and Gaby Richardson, Louise.

The show is packed with such Rodgers and Hammerstein favourites as June Is Bustin’ Out All Over, If I Loved You, What’s The Use In Wond’rin, Soliloquy, and You’ll Never Walk Alone, the song that became a terrace anthem at Liverpool and Celtic football grounds.

Tickets cost £13, concessions £12, children £9, available from York Theatre Royal on 01904 623568 or Stella Waft on 01904 768182.