Three towering talents play a cast of thousands in Patrick Barlow’s new comedy The Messiah. The new show from the writer of the Olivier Award-winning West End hit The 39 Steps comes to Cardiff’s New Theatre from 29 October – 3 November.
Starring Hugh Dennis in his first stage appearance in 20 years and Lesley Garrett in her comedy play debut, The Messiah is set to be the funniest and most magical nativity ever seen.
[aoa id=”1″]A travelling theatre troupe of two actors and an opera singer are set to arrive on camel back in venues across the UK to masterfully enact the greatest story ever told. The absurdly talented Maurice Rose (Hugh Dennis), the alarmingly unpredictable Ronald Bream RAC (John Marquez), and the distinguished diva Mrs Doreen Small (Lesley Garrett) create a hilarious Christmas comedy that conjures up the sublime, the ridiculous and the truly angelic. Joseph, Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, Herod, God and an ox are all authentically portrayed in this vibrant comedy weaving visual invention with a hint of the divine.[/aoa]
Hugh Dennis is one of Britain’s best loved comics and an award winning and multi-award nominated actor and writer. He’s the star of the BBC2 hit panel show, Mock The Week and BBC1’s hilarious sitcom Outnumbered. He is also a firm radio favourite, both writing and presenting Radio 4’s award winning comedy The Now Show and Radio 2’s It’s Been A Bad Week.
Lesley Garrett CBE is Britain’s best-known soprano, regularly appearing in opera, musical theatre, concert, television and on CD’s. For more than 30 years she has enjoyed one of the most successful careers of any modern-day, classically trained soprano. From Rossini’s famed opera The Barber of Seville at the Coliseum, to West End musical hits, The Sound of Music and Carousel, Garrett has become a real national treasure.
John Marquez is best known for his role as PC Joe Penhale in the hit ITV Comedy series, Doc Martin. TV roles include Porridge, In the Club, Death in Paradise, Hotel Babylon and Suburban Shootout. Recent theatre roles include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Savoy Theatre) and Once in a Lifetime (The Young Vic).
The Messiah comes from The 39 Steps writer, Patrick Barlow – who also directs this production. His other stage works include his new version of A Christmas Carol starring Jim Broadbent as Scrooge (Off-Broadway / Noel Coward Theatre). Patrick is also celebrated for his two-man theatre company The National Theatre of Brent, (Wagner’s Ring, The Charles and Diana Story and The Wonder of Sex). Screen and theatre acting credits include A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Loot, Wind in the Willows (NT), Absolutely Fabulous, Jam and Jerusalem, Shakespeare in Love, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Nanny McPhee and most recently A Very English Scandal.
The Messiah starts the Christmas season in style at Cardiff’s New Theatre from 29 October until 3 November. Tickets are available from newtheatrecardiff.co.uk and on 029 2087 8889.
