Maureen Lipman Joins RAGS IN CONCERT as Narrator; Show Set for London, April 28

Maureen Lipman has been confirmed as the narrator for Rags The Musical in Concert on Monday, 28th April 2014 at The Lyric Theatre.

Lipman is well-known for playing Joyce Grenfell in the biographical show Re: Joyce!, which she co-wrote, and for Beattie a series of award-winning television commercials for British Telecom.

No stranger to the West End, Lipman has starred in the National Theatre's production of Oklahoma!, the Olivier Award nominated show Glorious!, and in Trevor Nunn's theatre production of A Little Night Music, to name a few.

She appeared in the films Up The Junction, Educating Rita and played the mother in Polanski's award-winning film The Pianist. She has also appeared in many well known TV Series, such as Doctor Who, Coronation Street, and Holby City.

The Tony Award nominated musical Rags is coming to London for one night only with tickets from only £20. All proceeds from its performance will go to Centrepoint, the UK's leading charity for homeless young people. Rags ran for only a short while on Broadway in 1986 but developed a passionate following and will no doubt take London by storm.

Also cast in this exciting production are: Caroline Sheen (Les Miserables, The Witches of Eastwick, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Grease and Mary Poppins, UK and US tours) in the role of Rebecca; Graham MacDuff (Spamalot, Carousel, Chicago and Guys & Dolls) as Nathan; Matt Zimmerman (best known as the voice of Alan Tracy in Thunderbirds and for his stage work including Fiddler on the Roof and Cabaret) as Avram;Leila Benn Harris (whose rendition of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera earned her a nomination for Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Takeover in a Role) as Bella; James Yeoburn (Macbeth, Payback) as Ben; Jenny Logan (renowned for playing Velma Kelly in the first British production of Chicago) as Rachel; Tim Rogers (Whistle down the Wind, Aspects of Love and The Full Monty) as Saul; and Bash Croft (Oliver, Matilda) as David.

Other members of the cast are Amelia Adams-Pearce, Ben Stock, Marc Joseph and Danny Whitehead as well as an ensemble of singers and dancers from the Arts Educational School and an orchestra on stage of 11.

In an amazing partnership, Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause), Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin) and Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof, Zorba, Take Me Along) combined their extraordinary talents to write this musical in which America did not live up to the dreams of the immigrants. The characters must embrace their new lives as they fight for their rights through disappointment, tragedy and romance.

Rags The Musical in concert will play Monday, 28th April 2014, 7.30pm. Tickets are available from £20. For booking, see www.ragsinconcert.com or call The Lyric Theatre on 0844 412 4661.

Presented by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe. Rags the Musical in Concert is produced by Aria Entertainment and Knockhardy Productions whose previous West End charity concerts include Children Of Eden at The Prince Of Wales and Cinderella Boom Or Bust at The Drury Lane.