James Millar & Lucy Maunder Lead NOEL & GERTIE at Adelaide Festival Centre's Space Theatre, Now thru July 27

Two of Australia's rising stars of musical theatre transport you to a world of glamour, wit and elegance when Sheridan Morley's timeless musical Noël and Gertie plays the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre from today, 23 to 27 July for seven performances.

James Millar (Oklahoma, Jerry Springer: The Opera) and Lucy Maunder (Dr Zhivago, The Rocky Horror Show) bring stars Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence to life in a musical which has been acclaimed throughout the world.

James Millar, a writer himself as well as an actor returns from London to play Noël Coward and is joined by Lucy Maunder as Gertrude Lawrence. Directed by showbiz legend Nancye Hayes and accompanied by Vincent Colagiuri on the piano, they take a contemporary look at two of the 20th century's greatest stage personalities and the era they helped to define.

Noël and Gertie is an entertainment crafted from diaries and letters between Coward and Lawrence and features songs, sketches and scenes from his best loved works, reminding the audience that Coward's talent wasn't simply to amuse but also to hold a mirror up to the frailty of the human condition.

Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence formed a legendary on and off stage partnership. They looked rich, they were elegant; they sang, they danced, they made jokes through clenched cigarette holders. They were impeccable.

Noël Coward had a polished witticism for every occasion. To many he is known as a playwright, creating such classics as Private Lives, Present Laughter, Blithe Spirit and Hay Fever, and to others as the composer of timeless songs such as Mad About the Boy, I'll See You Again, and Mad Dogs and Englishmen. He was also an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, novelist, poet, cabaret artist, a skilful celebrity and a warm and enduring friend.

Gertrude Lawrence was a celebrated actress who triumphed on stage in the world premiere productions of Lady in the Dark and The King and I. Together, they formed a remarkable team and their friendship became show business legend.

"Noël and Gertie is highly entertaining, strangely familiar and surprisingly touching", says producer Christine Dunstan. "If you love musical theatre, celebrity, gossip, glamour, the plays of Noël Coward; if you like shows likeDownton Abbey, The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, Poirot, or Mary Poppins, then you'll love Noël and Gertie.It's a glittering evening of delight, wit, song and dance."

Noël and Gertie plays in the Space Theatre tonight 23 July at 8pm; Wednesday 24 at 8pm; Thursday 25 at 11am & 8pm; Friday 26 at 8pm and Saturday 27 at 2pm & 8pm.