Broadway musical Side Show will receive its UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse, opening on Wednesday 26th October and running until Saturday 3rd December.
Side Show is a musical about love and acceptance and is inspired by the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton.
The Hilton sisters make ends meet by performing in a headline act at a seedy side show, managed by an oppressive ringmaster.
After a talent agent spots them, they find fame under the spotlight of the 1920’s Orpheum Circuit.
They soon become the highest paid stars of their time, but problems arise when Violet wants a quiet life whereas Daisy still loves the spotlight.
The show features a score by Dreamgirls composer Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Bill Russell.
Side Show is produced by Paul Taylor-Mills, who returns to Southwark Playhouse following his productions of In The Heights and Carrie: The Musical, and Hannah Chissick directs.
Casting is to be announced.
The musical first opened on Broadway in 1997 and closed the following year after a successful run of 91 performances.
About the twins
Daisy and Violet Hilton were born in Brighton, England, in 1908 and began touring Britain in 1911 at just three years old.
Following their time spent in theatre, Violet married gay actor James Moore as a publicity stunt and the marriage lasted ten years on paper.
Daisy also married a gay man – better known as dancer Buddy Sawyer – but their marriage only lasted ten days.
The twins’ last public appearance was at a drive-in in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1961. Their tour manager abandoned them there, so with no means of income or transportation, they were forced to take a job in a nearby grocery store.
The twins eventually died from the Hong Kong flu in 1969.
They now have the number 708 bus in their hometown of Brighton named in their honour.
For tickets and more information visit www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk.
