Terri hosts That Man post-show Q&A with: director Paul Boyd, writer Wendy Gill & cast members Sabrina Aloueche, Christopher Howell and Jonny Labey

My post-show talk for That Man at Hippodrome Casino

That Man musical had two performances only at London’s Hippodrome Casino yesterday (20 September 2016) and, after the first one, I chaired a post-show discussion in front of an audience of industry guests to talk about the show’s journey to date and where it might go from here.

Yesterday’s presentation – though cast to the hilt, sumptuously presented in the lush cabaret surroundings ideal to the story’s 1950s London clubland setting and supported by the Arts Council – was a trimmed-down, 90-minute showcase version. The producers aim is to mount a full-scale production next.

Book writer Wendy Gill was inspired to write That Man after discovering the music of Dutch pop-jazz singer and YouTube sensation Caro Emerald, and it’s Emerald’s hits – including A Night Like This, Riviera Life, Liquid Lunch and the title number – that punctuate proceedings. (I have to admit I’d never heard of Caro Emerald before being asked to chair this Q&A – but I’m definitely aware of, and mightily impressed with, her now.)

For the Q&A, I was joined by Wendy and director Paul Boyd, along with That Man stars Jonny Labey, Sabrina Aloueche and Christopher Howell, who had just six days to rehearse the piece and a mere four hours to get it into the Hippodrome before yesterday’s 4pm matinee. Wow! There are also interjections from producer David Orchard and audience members from the floor. Apologies in advance for some sound issues on this podcast – some hiccoughs with mikes, air-conditioning and moving furniture.

For more information on That Man and for updates on its future development, visit the show website at thatmanmusical.com.

Pre-show video

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