VIDEO: Sneak Preview of The Fugard Theatre's Grand Scale WEST SIDE STORY Returning to Artscape in March 2018

Watch a sneak preview of Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre's timeless musical production of WEST SIDE STORY, which will return to the Artscape Theatre Centre in 2018 following two seasons in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

WEST SIDE STORY is set on the harsh streets of the Upper West Side neighbourhood of New York City in the mid-1950s and is inspired by William Shakespeare's tragic, ageless tale of ROMEO AND JULIET. Rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, battle in a turf-war to gain control of the neighbourhood. Tensions rise when Tony, a former member of the Jets and the best friend of the gang's leader, Riff, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks.

WEST SIDE STORY first premiered on Broadway in 1957. Based on an original conception of Jerome Robbins and features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The extended dynamic dance scenes and iconic songs such as "Something's Coming," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty," and "Tonight," all set to Bernstein's magnificent score, make for riveting theatre.

Matthew Wild directs this production of WEST SIDE STORY, with Charl-Johan Lingenfelder serving as the musical director and conductor and Louisa Talbot as the choreographer. The production features set design by Conor Murphy, lighting design by Joshua Cutts, costume design by Birrie Le Roux and sound design by Mark Malherbe. With a full orchestra in the pit and an outstanding cast of forty performers, WEST SIDE STORY promises to sweep Capetonians off their feet once again in 2018.

WEST SIDE STORY runs at the Artscape Opera House from 7 March - 1 April for a limited season. Tickets are available through Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 0214217695 or the Fugard Theatre Box Office on 0214614554.