South Pacific

The scene is the Solomon islands, where the US army has set up a number of bases to push back the enemy, the Japanese. On one island the French planter Emile de Becque is about to be recruited to scout the nearby islands checking for the enemy. The nursing Ensign Nelly Forbush is tasked with persuading him. Julian Ovenden plays Emile, respected for brilliant roles in Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, Merrily We Roll Along, and Grand Hotel. Gina Beck plays Nellie Forbush. And it’s filled with all of the lovely classic show tunes we know and love so much, including Some Enchanted Evening, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, and Bali Ha'i.

So far so good... but there’s more. This production of South Pacific has attracted nightly standing ovations in its original Chichester home, and it looks like it’s going to be a monster hit in London. If you’d love to experience one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s greatest musicals, this is your show. It has delighted audiences and critics since 1949 when it premiered on Broadway, and it’s likely to do it all over again in theatreland. The tunes, the sets, the costumes and the powerful love story everyone falls for is waiting for you in the capital.