Darius Campbell will lead the cast of new Tim Rice musical From Here To Eternity when it receives its world premiere at the Shaftesbury theatre later this year.
Formerly known as Darius Danesh, Campbell rose to fame as a contestant on ITV talent shows Popstars and Pop Idol. Well-known for his chart-topping hit Colourblind, the singer later turned his talents to musical theatre and has since starred in West End productions including Guys And Dolls, Gone With The Wind and Chicago.
Campbell will play First Sergeant Milton Warden, a role made famous by Burt Lancaster in the 1953 film, alongside a cast that includes Robert Lonsdale (Private Prewitt), Siubhan Harrison (Lorene), Ryan Sampson (Private Angelo Maggio) and Rebecca Thornhill (Karen).
Lonsdale, who gave avid theatregoers in Trafalgar Square the first taster of the new musical at last month’s West End LIVE, was last seen on the London stage in the Olivier Award-winning production of Anna Christie at the Donmar Warehouse. His other London stage credits include La Bête at the Harold Pinter theatre and The Indian Wants The Bronx at the Young Vic.
Harrison’s theatre credits include West End productions of Grease, We Will Rock You and Les Misérables, while Thornhill, who received an Olivier Award nomination in 2001 for her role in Singin’ In The Rain at the National Theatre, has appeared in productions including Mary Poppins, Chicago and Witches Of Eastwick. Sampson, whose London stage credits include The Kitchen Sink at the Bush, is currently appearing in the Royal Court’s Open Court programme.
Directed by Tamara Harvey, the cast will also include Keisha Amponsa Banson, Marc Antolin, Julie Armstrong, James Ballanger, John Brannoch, Abigail Climer, Brian Doherty, Jessica Ellen, Dale Evans, Shimi Goodman, Kirby Hughes, Lauren Ingram, Dean John-Wilson, Joshua Lacey, Carolyn Maitland, Nuno Queimado, Lucinda Shaw, Warren Sollars, David Stoller, Rebecca Sutherland, Laura Tyrer, Adam Vaughan, Lauren Varnham, Stephen Webb and Matthew Wesley.
Adapted from the 20th century novel by James Jones, From Here To Eternity is set on the island of Oahu shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbour. As Private Prewitt falls for escort girl Lorene and his platoon sergeant Warden begins an illicit affair with his commanding officer’s wife Karen, war approaches, and the worlds of the four lovers and the soldiers of G Company are about to be dramatically ripped apart.
Playing from 30 September (press night 23 October), From Here To Eternity features a book by Bill Oakes, music by Stuart Brayson and designs by Soutra Gilmour.