West End Stars to Help Save Stansted

London’s West End is coming to the grounds of Gaston House in Little Hallingbury on the evening of Sunday 8 June when members of the star casts of My Fair Lady and Ragtime will perform songs from the shows of the last 40 years.

The musical extravaganza is in aid of Stop Stansted Expansion as part of a range of community efforts to raise funds to sustain the campaign and tickets are now on sale from the campaign office and selected local outlets.

The show will include something for everyone with solos, duets and ensemble songs from such shows as My Fair Lady, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Lion King, Grease, Chess, Phantom of the Opera, Whistle Down the Wind, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys & Dolls, West Side Story, Joseph, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast, Ragtime and others.

They will be sung by Kate Coysten, former Head Girl of Bishop’s Stortford College who now lives in Sawbridgeworth, with co-performers Craig Turner and Chris Howell. All three are currently working with Kate in the smash hit musical ‘My Fair Lady’ at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane alongside Anthony Andrews, Russ Abbot and Hannah Gordon. They will be accompanied by Tania Newton from another West End musical, ‘Ragtime’, which has also received critical acclaim.

The combined credits for the cast include Les Miserables, Saturday Night Fever, Jesus Christ Superstar, South Pacific, Salad Days, Phantom of the Opera, Grease, Buddy and the Witches of Eastwick.

The extravaganza’s musical director on 8 June will be Daniel Dibden, whose musical credits include Five Guys Named Moe, Dusty, the Musical and TV’s ‘ Light Lunch’ with Mel and Sue. Geoff Petts has arranged the concert in conjunction with Kate Coysten and Gaston House owners Roger and Irene Graham.

Speaking enthusiastically about the event, Roger Graham who has done much to support Stop Stansted Expansion’s fundraising efforts said: “This will be a marvellous event and we are expecting an excellent response from the local community who will not only want to show their support the campaign but also to have some real fun in the process.”

Tickets, price just £15, include free parking and a supper of fish and chips, chicken and chips or a vegetarian platter. There will also be a licensed bar selling wine, beer and soft drinks and a ‘Puds for £1’ stall to round off the musical picnic which will be held in the open if the weather is fine or in a marquee if rain threatens. Gates open at 6pm and the show itself will take place between 6.45pm and 9.30pm.

Both the post offices in Little Hallingbury and Hatfield Broad Oak are offering tickets for sale. Jan Baldwin (Great Hallingbury) is also taking orders on 01279 653470, or they can be ordered from Stop Stansted Expansion campaign office (details on 01279 870558). Order forms can also be downloaded from the website at www.stopstanstedexpansion.com.

ENDS