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Ray Davies turns Kinks classic into Come Dancing the musical
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent29 Jul 2008
Rock legend Ray Davies will star in a new musical he has written for the Theatre Royal Stratford East.
The show, called Come Dancing after one of The Kinks's greatest hits, is the former frontman's semiautobiographical story of love in the Ilford Palais ballroom in the Fifties.
Davies, 64, who lives in north London, wrote more than 20 songs reminiscent of the period for the production, which premieres in September. He has now signed up to play himself in a trip back in time to when he used to watch his six sisters head off to dances.
The central character, Julie, is based on them - including one, in particular, who died.
Kerry Michael, the theatre's artistic director, said: "It's about being impressed by his big sister and loving her very much."
The Theatre Royal Stratford East has hosted a string of successful musicals including Five Guys Named Moe and, more recently, The Harder They Come - now in the West End.
Michael, who will direct the show, said: "Come Dancing is glorious in lots of ways. The Harder They Come was for the Jamaican and Caribbean community and now we've got a piece that is equally important and relevant to the white East Ender."
He added: "The Ilford Palais stopped being the place to be with the end of the big band and the start of new music.
"It was a period of change and things being knocked down and new buildings springing up so it was like what's happening now with the Olympics."
The Palais was famous throughout east London as a ballroom, music venue and nightclub, but was demolished two years ago.
Davies begins rehearsals next Monday after returning from a tour of North America. He has performed solo since The Kinks split in 1996 after more than 30 years.
Come Dancing began life about 10 years ago but has gone through several incarnations.
It has been written with Paul Sirett, author of The Big Life and Rat Pack Confidential, and Terry Johnson, of Hitchcock Blonde fame.
Come Dancing runs from 13 September to 25 October.
