THE LIFE- THE UK PREMIERE AT THE SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE- LONDON
STARRING SHARRON D CLARKE

MARCH 2017-APRIL 2017

Directed by Michael Blakemore starring Sharon D Clarke

A thrilling exposé of the darker side of 1980’s New York, The Life is a defiant and heartfelt musical lament for the old Times Square. A world of pimps and prostitutes, innocents and opportunists, it’s a gutsy and gritty joyride filled with both pathos and fun.

Queen and Fleetwood are just trying to get by. New York has hit a moral rock bottom, and opportunity is becoming a scarcity. Queen is now selling herself to anyone with cash in Times Square, while Fleetwood is spending that cash on his nightly fix. Such is a regular story for those in The Life – just ask Sonja, whose market value as a hooker is depleting. It seems that nothing ever improves for those in The Life, but when a mysteriously innocent farm girl named Mary shows up, and Memphis and Joio, the biggest players in town, offer to help Queen out, will things start looking up?

Described by the New York Times as “Broadway’s best kept secret” The Life features a rarely heard score by celebrated composer Cy Coleman (City of Angels, Sweet Charity). The original production of The Life, directed by Michael Blakemore, opened on April 26, 1997. It received 12 Tony Nominations of which it won two, and 9 Drama Desk Awards of which it won three, including Best Musical. 20 years later to the day, Michael Blakemore will be directing the musical again, starring stage legends Sharon D. Clarke and Cornell S. John

The Life, Southwark Playhouse, London, review: A crime if this show does not transfer to the West End‘gritty and glorious’

The Life at Southwark Playhouse took home four awards for Best Musical Production, T'Shan Williams for Female in a Musical, Cornell S John for Supporting Male in a Musical and Sharon D Clarke for Supporting Female in a Musical