Download our Edinburgh 2010 Press Release here

For posterity’s sake the London season release is below…

PRESS RELEASE

Barbershopera Productions and Seabright Productions present

Barbershopera II

By Rob Castell and Tom Sadler

In collaboration with and directed by Sarah Tipple

Press Night: Trafalgar Studios, Friday 8 January at 7.45pm

Following sell-out success, critical acclaim and awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2008 and 2009, Barbershopera return to London with their latest a cappella comedy musical – Barbershopera II. The talented foursome tell the story of a Catalan matador who inherits his dead father’s barbershop in Shavingham, Norfolk.

Will our young hero manage to enchant the locals with his continental flair? Will he uncover the murky mystery of his father’s death? Could he possibly succeed in taking on local hairdresser extraordinaire Trevor Sorbet in a dramatic cut-off? Can he even hope to win the heart of the beautiful town crier? And will he ever leave Norfolk again?

The co-writing team of Rob Castell and Tom Sadler and director Sarah Tipple have come together again to create another madcap but beautifully harmonious show. They perform with returning ‘barbershopper’ Lara Stubbs, whilst Pete Sorel-Cameron makes his London debut with the company. Barbershopera II delighted audiences at Edinburgh Fringe 2009 and won the award for Most Promising Lyrics at the Musical Theatre Matters Awards (their previous show won this accolade in 2008).

Director Sarah Tipple’s other recent work includes Bay (Young Vic), Mad Funny Just (Theatre503) and The Wrong Man (Pleasance Islington and Edinburgh & UK tour).

Edinburgh reviews of the show included:

‘A delightfully cod opera of equally balanced melodrama and idiocy. It is silly but, then again, so are most operas, and Barbershopera’s approach to their subject is pitch perfect.’ **** Metro

‘All of the performances are terrific – each perfectly blending sharp comic timing with effortless singing. While the humour is often physical, the story is surprisingly touching. You’ll find yourself caring about the characters despite, or even because of, the fact that they’re so silly.’ **** The Scotsman

‘A glorious display of silliness, told in a capella song by four fabulous performers. The acting is deliciously over-the-top, and the singing is witty and sometimes genuinely astonishing. Sarah Tipple directs with clarity and turn-on-a-sixpence slickness.’ ***** Whatsonstage.com

For all press enquiries and ticket requests, please contact:

Tom Atkins on 020 7439 1173 or tom @ seabrightproductions.co.uk

For more details please visit www.seabrightproductions.co.uk

Listings Information

Barbershopera II

Trafalgar Studio 2, 14 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY. Nearest Rail/Tube: Charing Cross.

Tuesday 5 January – Saturday 6 February 2010

Mon – Sat at 7.45pm 5-9 January / 9.15pm 11 January – 6 February

Matinees on 7, 9, 21, 23 Jan &  6 Feb at 3.00pm

Previews 5, 6 & 7 Jan – Press Night: Friday 8 January at 7.45pm

Tickets: £18.00 (£15.00 Mondays, Concessions & Groups)

Box Office: 0844 871 7632 or www.ambassadortickets.com/trafalgarstudios (transaction fee applies)

Running time 75 minutes, no interval