West Side Story

★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Observer ★★★★ The Stage ★★★★ The Times ★★★★ WhatsOnStage ★★★★ MEN ★★★★ The Sunday Times ★★★★★ Frankly, My Dear ★★★★★ North West End ★★★★★ The Reviews Hub

Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS. Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS. Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN. Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM. Directed by SARAH FRANKCOM.
6 April 2019 - 25 May 2019
The Theatre

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The most dazzling and dynamic musical in Broadway history

'Could it be? Yes, it could. Something’s coming – something good.'

WEST SIDE STORY marries stunning choreography to a matchless songbook – Maria, America, Somewhere, Tonight – as it translates ROMEO AND JULIET to 1950s Manhattan. It’s the Jets and the Sharks, two rival gangs who make New York’s mean streets even meaner. But it’s also passionate, tender and deeply romantic – the greatest love story ever told.

Reimagined for the round with new choreography by Aletta Collins (SWEET CHARITY) and orchestrations from Bernstein specialist Jason Carr, Sarah Frankcom’s production follows Royal Exchange hits such as SWEET CHARITY and GUYS AND DOLLS as it brings a whole new energy to a bona fide Broadway classic.

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE SMASH-HIT PRODUCTION WEST SIDE STORY WILL RETURN TO THE STAGE IN 2020 DUE TO UNPRECEDENTED POPULAR DEMAND.
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WEST SIDE STORY TICKETS ARE FLYING OUT OF THE DOOR AND WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO MISS OUT ON THIS EXCITING PERFORMANCE, SO CHECK OUT WEST SIDE WEDNESDAYS.

Starting Wednesday 10 April at 9.30am, we will be releasing a handful of tickets available to purchase for anyone who signs up to be a new Member at the Theatre. More Information

Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS.
Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by
JEROME ROBBINS

Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith
and Harold S. Prince

by arrangement with Roger L. Stevens

Produced by arrangement with
Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited

Event Information

VENUE: The Theatre

PERFORMANCE DATES: Saturday 6 April - Saturday 25 May 2019

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Matinees, 2.30pm / Evenings, 7.30pm. Half Price Previews - Saturday 6 April, Monday 8 April, Tuesday 9 April, Wednesday 10 April, all at 7.30pm.
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RUNNING TIMES: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including 1 interval of 20 minutes.

TICKET INFORMATION: Standard Tickets from £25.00
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DAY SEATS: Each day from 9.30am, there will be 16 day seats available (per performance) to people in person at Box Office. There will also be some available via the phones from 10am. A maximum of 2 days seats per person. Day seats are £10 each.

BOOK TICKETS: Book Online or call the Box Office on 0161 833 9833

Members get Priority Booking for each season as well as for additional events. You can find out about Membership here.

With your support, we can make brilliant theatre, tell stories, nurture new talent, and help as many people as possible get involved.

Creative Team
Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS. Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS. Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN. Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM. Directed by SARAH FRANKCOM.

DIRECTOR Sarah Frankcom

CHOREOGRAPHER Aletta Collins

DESIGNER Anna Fleischle

MUSICAL SUPERVISOR/ORCHESTRATOR Jason Carr

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Mark Aspinall

LIGHTING DESIGNER Lee Curran

SOUND DESIGNER Richard Brooker

COSTUME DESIGNER Polly Sullivan

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Atri Banerjee

ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER Gareth Mole

ASSOCIATE DESIGNER Liam Bunster

ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESGINER Jason Addison

ASSOCIATE SOUND DESIGNER Owen Lewis

ASSOCIATE SOUND DESIGNER Sorcha Steele

FIGHT DIRECTOR Kevin McCurdy

DIALECT COACH Natalie Grady

CASTING DIRECTOR Jim Arnold

ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR Tom Chester

BSL INTERPRETER Karl Lorca
Related Events
BERNSTEIN REVEALED: A CABARET
Join leading Leonard Bernstein expert Edward Seckerson, double Olivier Award nominee Sophie-Louise Dann and double Tony Award nominee (and musical supervisor/orchestrator of WEST SIDE STORY) Jason Carr to celebrate 100 years of Leonard Bernstein.
Sunday 28 April 7.30pm
Tickets £15 (£12)
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
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MEMBERS Q&A
Join the cast of West Side Story in a Q&A
Friday 17 May, 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Tickets £5 - for members only
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
More Information about becoming a member

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION
Thursday 16 May, following 7.30pm show.
No need to book tickets for the discussion.
Book tickets to the performance

THEATRE CLUB
Like an informal, friendly book club, but for plays
Saturday 11 May, 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tickets are free but please book a place.
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
More Information about Theatre Club

INTRODUCING...
Pre-show introduction to the play, led from the stage and featuring company members.
Thursday 2 May, 10.30am - 12 noon. Tickets £6 / Concessions £4
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833
More Information about Introducing
Accessible Performances
If you require our BSL, Audio Described or Captioned services, please book directly with Box Office. This is because there are often specific seats, which are held for each show to ensure you have the best experience possible.

You can call on 0161 833 9833 or email at box.office@royalexchange.co.uk

AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: Saturday 18 May, 2.30pm

BSL PERFORMANCE: Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm. Interpreter Karl Lorca

CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE: Wednesday 15 May, 7.30pm

RELAXED PERFORMANCE: Tuesday 7 May, 2.30pm BOOK TICKETS

Click here for more information about our accessible performances

PLEASE NOTE - if a performance is marked as SOLD OUT - there may still be access seats available - so do get in touch.

Anita

Jocasta Almgill

Graziella

Hannah Cadec

Consuelo

Natalie Chua

Tony

Andy Coxon

Doc/ Krupke

David Crellin

Pepe

Jordan Cunningham

Francisca

Frances Dee

Riff

Michael Duke

Indio

Pol Galcera

Maria

Gabriela Garcia

Action

Sebastian Goffin

Diesel

Justin-Lee Jones

Anybodys

Emily Langham

Baby John

Michael Lin

Schrank/ Glad Hands

Jack Lord

Bernado

Fernando Mariano

Chino

Manuel Pacific

Velma

Ericka Posadas

Big Deal

Lukin Simmonds

Rosalia

Bree Smith

Snowboy

Christopher Tendai

A-Rab

Oliver Tester
★★★★ "exhilarating" Mark Fisher, The Guardian

★★★★ "West Side Story is not so much a love story, as a lust story and a want story. A story of being young and seeking a place in the world. It’s a bleak story too – oh, boy, is it bleak – but it’s also a deeply compassionate one. Frankcom’s production brings all of that out beautifully, while still throwing in a few finger clicks." Natasha Tripney, The Stage

★★★★ "thoroughly enjoyable" Oliver Ainley, WhatsOnStage

★★★★★ "it is nothing short of a complete triumph." Kristy Stott, Upstaged Manchester

★★★★★ "The whole cast deserves a round of applause, as this musical is so ensemble heavy, not one member of the ensemble let the show slip. A goose-bump moment was the “Tonight” quintet that just simply perfect." Jess Stoddard, Jess's Random World

★★★★★ "From the opening bar, this is a perfect piece of theatre and I loved every second. It succeeds in adding vibrant new choreography to a sublime score and is performed with passion and conviction by an immensely talented young company." Paul Wilcox, North West End

★★★★★ "Bold, inspired theatre at its best." Nikki Cotter, Opening Night

★★★★★ "The Royal Exchange’s West Side Story brings vibrancy and passion to a show that may have been taken for granted." Dave Cunningham, The Reviews Hub

★★★★★ "Jason Carr’s orchestration feels modern, fresh and exciting, bringing a punchiness to lesser-known tracks like COOL and GEE OFFICER KRUPKE! while quietly blowing you away with its soft and sustained sections in MARIA, TONIGHT and SOMEWHERE." Donna Kelly, Frankly My Dear

★★★★ "this is a pretty magnificent version of one of the greatest musicals ever." Kevin Bourke, Northern Soul