An Exciting New Musical Play by Lizzie Freeborn
HOT LIPS AND COLD WAR is a brand new sophisticated musical play set in the White House during the 1960s " a time of the Cold War, civil rights, protest movements, social and class unrest and the evolving musical revolution. Directed by Tim McArthur, the unusual filmic inspired interpretation of one of the most fascinating love stories in history is set to stun audiences. President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe return to the White House in style!
Behind closed doors the Irish Catholic President, John F. Kennedy, and his long-suffering and much-admired wife, Jackie Kennedy, face turmoil. The eyes and hopes of the Western world are upon them. Plans are being made for the Presidents momentous visit back to his roots to his great-great grandfathers sleepy Irish home town. In the Kennedy household, Maria, a young, distantly related Irish relative shows up and taken on trust becomes a fly on the wall.
The First Lady juggles her young familys needs with her new-found position, but life is more like a burnt Thanksgiving pie than a bowl of cherries. Hanging over them is the terrifying threat of nuclear war with the Russians and it doesnt help that the sex obsessed President is playing away from home. Problems simmer and become steamier when Americas glamorous blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe, catchs the Presidents eye but her fragile frame of mind proves challenging. Unless Marilyn gets what she wants, she could cause a catastrophe in his personal and public life at an incredibly dangerous point.
The exciting musical score reflects the highly charged era of changing social, sexual and musical attitudes with a variety of styles from light classical to boogie, modern jazz and swing from the 1950s and folk of the 1960s.
Directed by Tim McArthur, Musical Director Oli Rew, Musical Arrangements by Simon Holt
Cast: Freya Tilly, Jamal Franklin, Adam Small, Marcia Sommerford, Robert Oliver, Florence Odumosu, Ashley Knight, Sylvie Briggs, Lewis Rae
Running at London Theatre Workshop from 30th January " 24th February 2018
Address: London Theatre Workshop, 88 Gracechurch Street (next door to the New Moon Pub), Leadenhall Market, London EC3V 0DN
TICKETS: 15 Concessions: 12
Preview dates: Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st January
Performances: Tuesdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (no performances on Mondays)
Matine: Saturday 10th February at 3:00 p.m.
Production photographs: Jamie Scott-Smith