Theatre premiers World War II love story
A moving love story set in World War Two is set to take to the stage at a Manchester theatre.
Yank! The musical is getting its UK premier in a four-week run at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.
Taking to the stage from Thursday March 9 until Saturday April 8, the show is the first production of 2017 from Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre, which opened its doors in December 2015 in a Grade II-listed mill.
Yank! Is a World War Two gay love story. Based on real history and events of WW2, it focused on the life of Stu, a scared Mid-Western youngster who is called up to serve in the forces in 1943. He becomes a photographer for Yank Magazine, a journal for and by the servicemen. Stu finds himself in the war asking himself what it means to be man whilst falling in love with Mitch, a fellow soldier.
The musical aims to explore what it means to be a man, and what it is to fall in love and struggle.
The main characters of the show are being played by Scott Hunter, who is taking to the stage as Stu. Scott isn’t new to theatre, he has starred in the likes of Grease, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. He will be joined by Barnaby Hughes, who has starred in Legally Blonde, Damn Yankees and Grand Central.
Yank!, which has been directed by James Baker, is based on the Off-Broadway production from 2010 and the new version is being performed for the very first time in Manchester. The book and lyrics were created by American writer David Zellnik, with his brother Joseph Zellnik’s musical score paying homage to the timeless music of the 1940s.
Director James Baker said: “Yank tells such a simple but beautiful story about two men who fall in love during World War II in America. The show has many layers and is so relevant to today’s political climate. I’ve enjoyed a journey with this musical for the past year and I hope you will love it as much as I do.”
Each year, Aria Entertainment produces one musical revival, a British musical, a American musical, a play, cabaret show and a new musical theatre called From Page to Stage.
Aria Entertainment’s Producer and Company Director, Katy Lipson, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve now found our extremely talented 12-strong cast, who will do absolute justice to this moving and special piece of writing from David and Joseph Zellnik. I discovered Yank! almost three years ago, but it took a while to find the perfect venue to host its premiere.
“David spent countless hours researching and interviewing World War 2 veterans to give Yank! so much authenticity, and it’s such a privilege to be working so closely with Joseph and David to bring this new version of the story to the Hope Mill Theatre stage in Manchester, along with new orchestrations and with more musicians than the show had off-Broadway.”
Yank! will run for four weeks from Thursday 9 March to Saturday 8 April at Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats.
