Conor McPherson’s critically acclaimed musical of hope, heartbreak and soul, incorporating classic songs from the catalogue of Bob Dylan, Girl From The North Country returns to the West End this year.
Girl From The North Country is set in 1934, and, in the midst of the Great Depression, a Duluth, Minnesota family sits on a knife edge, their future indeterminate. Lost and lonely people drift through the rooms of their guesthouse, as the future of the community teeters on a knife-edge.
The owner of the guesthouse, Nick, owes more money than he can ever repay, his wife Elizabeth is losing her mind and their daughter Marianne is carrying a child no-one will account for. And, when a preacher selling bibles and a boxer looking for a comeback show up in the middle of the night, things start to spiral beyond the point of no return… But Nick thinks he’s seen a way out. As the residents of community pass in and out of each other’s lives, their stories awaken with passion, fury and extraordinary beauty.
Having premiered to rapturous reception at The Old Vic in July 2017, before receiving a second West End run in 2018, Girl From The North Country is brought to life by glorious ensemble featuring soul-stirring solos. The show won the 2018 Olivier Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical as well as being nominated in the Best New Musical, Outstanding Achievement in Music and Best Actor in a Musical categories. Its return to the West End comes before its official Broadway premiere in 2020.
So exceptional was Girl From The North Country’s initial reception in London that the show’s Original London Cast Recording was released on vinyl, CD, download and streaming services merely months after its premiere, featuring iconic hits Tight Connection To My Heart, Like A Rolling Stone/To Make You Feel My Love, and the titular song.
The show’s ensemble cast includes Katie Brayben (an Olivier Award winner for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as Elizabeth Laine, Donald Sage Mackay (True West, West End) as Nick Laine, Gloria Obianyo (Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park) as Marianne Laine, Colin Bates (Billy Elliot, West End) as Gene Laine, and Rachel John (Olivier-nominated for Hamilton) as Mrs Neilsen.
Olivier Award-winning playwright McPherson, whose previous plays have included the likes of The Weir (Royal Court, West End and Broadway) and Shining City (Royal Court and Broadway, nominated for two Tony Awards), beautifully weaves the iconic songbook of Dylan into this terrific show.