An accent on local talent

There’s nothing quite like hearing the hits from theatrical shows and the magical world of musicals to get people of all ages tapping their feet and singing along.

Now they will get the chance to do just that by going to watch Back To Broadway, a spectacular show which features classic hits from Broadway’s biggest muscials.

Back To Broadway will be on at Preston Charter Theatre tomorrow night for one night only and audiences in Preston might realise that the voice of the narrator sounds very familiar.

Tupele Dorgu, West End star and former Coronation Street actress, will have her voice featured in the show as the narrator.

Tupele, 36, who is grew up in Preston and was a pupil at St Clare’s Primary School, Our Lady’s High School and then Kirkham Grammar School, will give the audience a little of the history and plotline for each musical as narrator.

Tupele, who is best known for the role of knicker seamstress Kelly Crabtree in Coronation Street, is an ideal person to be narrator in Back To Broadway as she has performed in many musicals herself including La Cage Aux Folles, Three Minute Heroes and Mamma Mia!

She also starred as Velma Kelly in the UK 2012 tour of Chicago to critical acclaim.

Gina Price, marketing assistant for Back To Broadway, says: “We wanted Tupele Dorgu to be the voice of the narrator in the show as she has such a fantastic voice for voice-over.

“Her voice is full of so much character and her personality also comes across really well.

“It is also great to have Tupele’s voice as the narrator as she has been in so many West End shows herself including Chicago which she was wonderful in.

“With Preston being Tupele’s home town, having her voice as the narrator will give the show a particularly special feel when we perform in Preston.”

Back To Broadway, now in its third successful year, has been taking theatres all over the UK and Europe by storm and has now returned as a new production.

It has been labelled as “one of the top touring musical theatre productions to see” by Musical Theatre New.

The feel good show, which is suitable for all the family, combines captivating performances with dazzling costumes, stunning light effects and a New York setting.

It aims to bring the best of Broadway and London’s West End together in one unforgettable evening.

The hit musicals showcased include: Phantom of The Opera, Chicago, West Side Story, Hairspray, The Lion King, Miss Saigon and many more.

Songs that will be performed during the show include Defying Gravity from Wicked, Time Of My Life from Dirty Dancing, One Day More from Les Miserables and the glitz and glamour of Copacabana.

The show features eight of the country’s most talented singers drawn from the West End, National Opera and major UK touring productions.

Back To Broadway has been performed at exclusive events in the UK, Mexico and Paris.

Gina, who is also leading lady of Back To Broadway, says: “Fans of musical theatre are in for a real treat as we serve up a memorable night of entertainment.

“From start to finish, Back To Broadway is two hours packed with singing, dancing, drama and surprises taking the audience through decades of incredible musicals.

“The cast absolutely love being part of such an incredible show and the audience will see that in the high energy stunning performances.

“Everyone associated with Back To Broadway is really looking forward to taking to the stage for what we know will be another unforgettable national UK tour.”

n Tickets: £18.50, Box office: 0844 844 7710 or www.prestonguildhall.com. It starts at 7.30pm.