Respect La Diva, a new show paying tribute to five decades of hits by female music icons, is to play at the West End’s Garrick theatre from 7 to 24 September (press night 8 September).
Billed as an “uplifting musical celebration” of ‘divas’ including Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé, Respect La Diva features the vocal talents of two singers who have enjoyed their own music success in the past: Sheila Ferguson of 1960s American female vocal trio The Three Degrees and one member of 1980s British pop group Five Star, Denise Pearson.
They are joined by X Factor graduate Andy Abraham as the show’s host, The One And Only’s Katy Setterfield and Pop Idol’s Zoe Birkett, who was recently seen in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical.
Respect La Diva is created by Adrian Grant, the man behind Michael Jackson jukebox show Thriller – Live, which has been a permanent fixture at the Lyric theatre since January 2009. Both Birkett and Pearson have starred in the show.
The new production has teamed up with charity Refuge to raise awareness of domestic violence and abuse against women and children. A special text line has been established to collect public donations.
Respect La Diva plays at the Garrick theatre following Pygmalion, which runs until 3 September.
CB