West Side Story at Leamington Loft Theatre

Buy photos » West Side Story - Kelsey Checklin as Maria and Chris Gilbey-Smith as Tony. (s)

A SLICE of the Big Apple is brought to the stage of Leamington's Loft Theatre.

Classic musical West Side Story, featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics from Stephen Sondheim, runs from December 5 to 15.

Set in New York, against the back drop of violent gangs, street culture and disillusioned youth, West Side Story is a musical retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

When Tony, the all-American Jet, and Maria, the Puerto Rican immigrant Shark, meet and fall in love it’s anything but simple. They come from two different gangs, with a deep-set rivalry, fighting for supremacy on the tough New York streets.

Featuring classic songs such as Tonight, Maria, America, and Something’s Coming, it is the story of doomed love made impossible by life and circumstance

The musical first premiered in 1957 on Broadway, and ran for 732 performances and was nominated for five Tony Awards. It has since enjoyed several revivals on Broadway and the West End, as well as many other productions across the globe.

Loft director Tim Willis said: “I relish challenges which continue to stretch the skills and imagination. West Side Story requires a highly skilled and committed team to bring the show to our stage – a stage where you would not normally expect to see a show of this size - and putting the whole thing together has been a huge theatrical challenge for the team.”

In the production, Tony is played by Chris Gilbey-Smith and Maria by Kelsey Checklin.

West Side Story runs each evening at 7.30pm (except Sunday). For tickets and further details visit www.loft-theatre.co.uk) or call 0844 493 4938 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. I

Under 25s and NUS card holders can purchase tickets for £5 for the performance on Monday and Tuesday (December 10 and 11) - only available from the box office on the night of the performance subject to availability.

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