Batman Liveis a touring stage show, including theatrical, circus and stage-magic elements, that focuses on theDC ComicssuperheroBatman.It debuted on July 19, 2011 at theManchester Evening News Arena,[2]with two and a half years in the making at a reported cost of about £7.5 million.[3]
| Batman Live | |
|---|---|
| Characters | Batman Robin Alfred Pennyworth Commissioner Gordon Joker Harley Quinn Catwoman Penguin Riddler Poison Ivy Two-Face Scarecrow |
| Date premiered | 19 July 2011 Manchester Evening News Arena[1] |
| Place premiered | Britain |
| Original language | English |
History
editProducer Nick Grace conceived the idea of "Batman Live" following his successfulanimatronicproject ofWalking With Dinosaurs − The Arena Spectacular.[4]The story was written by Stan Berkowitz,Alan Burnett,andAllan Heinberg.[5][6]
The show began its tour in theUKinManchesterin summer 2011. TheBritish Islespart of the tour includes venues inEngland,Scotland,Northern Irelandand theRepublic of Ireland.It then launched inNorth Americain Summer 2012, and ceased touring in December 2012 inDallas, Texas.In September 2012, "Batman Live" began touringAmerica,starting inAnaheim, Californiaat theHonda Center.[7]
Cast and crew
editThe production was mounted by acclaimed professionals, and was co-directed by James Powell,[8]who has worked onLes MiserablesandDirty Dancing.[9]The crew includedAnthony Van Laast,widely known for his work onMamma Mia!,as thecreative director,and renownedcar designerProf.Gordon Murray,who crafted theBatmobileespecially for the show,[10][11]as well as composerJames Seymour Brett,who created and arranged themusic,[12]Es Devlinas theproduction designer,Luke HallsandSam Pattinsonas thevideo designersandPatrick Woodroffeas thelighting designer.[13]The crew also included Jack Galloway ascostume designer,Jake Berry astechnical directorand Simon Baker assound designer.The circus sequences were created and managed by Bryan Donaldson and Juliette Hardy-Donaldson.[14]
The Cast included Nick Court andSam Heughanas Batman/Bruce Wayne, Emma Clifford asCatwomanandMartha Wayne,Kamran Darabi-Ford and Michael Pickering asRobin/Dick Grayson,Mark Frostas theJoker,Alex GianniniasCommissioner GordonandThe Penguin,John Conroy asAlfred Pennyworth,Poppy Tierney asHarley QuinnandMary Grayson,Christopher Price asJohn Grayson,Joe ChillandThe Riddler,Garry Lake asRingmasterandTwo-Face(also portrayed by Christopher D Hunt), Jack Walker asTony Zucco,Darrell Brockis asDr. Thomas Wayne,Valerie Murzak asPoison Ivy,Benos Noble and Ian Henderson asThe Scarecrowand Erin Anna Jameson as young Bruce Wayne.[15][16][17]
The rest of the cast included: Marina Abdeen, Michelle Antrobus, Alice Capitani, Darryl Carrington, Sam Cater, Danny Chase, Beth Coleman, Stephan Dermendjiev, Sammy Dinneen, Liam Durbidge, Jono Fee, Ben Habgood, Maria Hippolyte, Jack Jefferson, Lee Matthews, Gemma Michael, Tamzen Molding, Valérie Murzak, Danuta Ramos, Kate Sanderson, Jessica Sherman, Antony Somers, Océane Sunniva, George Turvey, Mike Zwahlen.[18]
Plot summary
editThe plot concerns the origin ofRobinand of the Batman and Robin team. It begins with the murder ofBruce Wayne's parents in the past and then shows how in the present day he has become themasked vigilante,Batman, as a result. After the circus acrobat parents ofDick Graysonare murdered bya gangsterduring a performance inGotham City,the orphan is put into the care of Bruce Wayne and his faithful butlerAlfredbyCommissioner Gordon.As the various villains of Gotham team up to defeat their nemesis, Wayne reveals his identity to Grayson and eventually teaches him properly to channel his anger—to seek justice, not revenge. The new pairing is sorely tested whenThe Jokerreveals his master plan to release the inmates ofArkham Asyluminto Gotham, and to use Grayson as bait in a final deadly trap for Batman. WithThe Riddler,The Penguin,Poison Ivy,Two-Face,The Scarecrow,Harley Quinnand even Batman's potential love, the thiefCatwoman,all ranged against them as well, the new 'Dynamic Duo' faces the ultimate showdown.
References
edit- ^"BATMAN Live hits UK arenas this summer - BATMAN Live - MSN UK".March 16, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2012.
- ^"On stage: Batman Live launches in London."April 12, 2011.The Telegraph.Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^Hughes, Rob (July 20, 2011)."Batman Live: Theater Review".The Daily Telegraph.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2015.RetrievedOctober 15,2015.
- ^Batman takes on the world with £12m stage extravaganza,theguardian
- ^Batman Live – O2 Arena, 31 August 2011,dealj.wordpress
- ^‘Batman Live’ Writers to Include Allan Heinberg, Stan Berkowitz and Alan Burnett,comicsalliance
- ^Batman LiveArchived2015-10-29 at theWayback Machine,thingstodoinlandempire
- ^Batman Live – O2 Arena, 31 August 2011,dealj.wordpress
- ^JAMES POWELL BROADWAY AND THEATRE CREDITS,broadwayworld
- ^Batman takes on the world with £12m stage extravaganza,theguardian
- ^Batman Live Worldwide Arena Tour,warnerbros
- ^Batman Live World Arena Tour,jamesseymourbrett
- ^BATMAN LIVE – WORLD ARENA TOUR 2011,https://esdevlin
- ^"Redirection".musicalsineurope.Retrieved2023-01-24.
- ^Cast announced for Batman Live Arena Tour[permanent dead link],blog.musicaltheatrenews
- ^Batman Live: World Arena Tour,variety
- ^Batman Live – O2 Arena, 31 August 2011,dealj.wordpress
- ^"Batman Live World Tour", à Paris Bercy, du 21 au 25 décembre,musicalsineurope