Former West End show performer Darren Bartlett has joined new nativity musical ‘The Birth of a King’ for its premiere at Poole Lighthouse on December 4.
Darren, who lives in Wimborne, will play the angel Gabriel. He has played romantic lead Marius in Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre and has sung in Christian concerts and musical theatre at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley, the Hollywood Bowl, Las Vegas.
He said: “I love the show and think it has enormous potential, the music is modern and very appealing – and of course it’s a story everyone knows.”
He is joined by professional opera singer Elizabeth Ferrie, who plays Mary’s mother.
Collaratura soprano Elizabeth lives in Upton and has performed professionally in most operas, including the challenging role of The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
Another Upton resident who will sing as part of the chorus, Lisa Francis, sang as a child in the West End show Evita.
New producer Chris Burton said: “It’s such a great festive show and tickets are selling fast. It is due to première this December in three US venues and in Singapore.”
The Birth of a King will have a full symphony orchestra, 120-strong chorus and 32 soloists.
All tickets cost £15 and are now on sale at Poole Lighthouse.
www.the-birth-of-a-king.org Picture by Phil Dowding
