Be transported back to the height of the New York Jazz Age this week with Thoroughly Modern Millie coming to the Adrian Mann Theatre in Ewell.

Based on the 1967 Oscar-winning film starring Julie Andrews, it tells the story of a young girl from Kansas who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself during the roaring twenties.

The director, Mary Watkins, has described the play as “real jazzy, big band feel to the whole show”.

She said: “The storyline is similar to the original, but it has more musical numbers and more humour especially with the contrast of a love story and the villains involved in kidnapping girls.”

 

Mary added: “It has much more comedy than the original film with tongue in cheek villains as well as Millie the heroine.

“It is a classic feel-good musical with over 15 great songs all in 1920's style with a good mix from love ballads to fast, jazzy dance numbers.”

Bringing Millie to the stage was not straightforward, the director said, particularly with the baddie’s sidekicks who speak in Cantonese and sing in Mandarin.

Mary said: “The two men playing these parts have had to learn their words from a translation recording so that what they are saying is genuine  - they do this brilliantly but it has been harder for them than they thought - although great fun for the rest of us.”

Thoroughly Modern Millie is at Adrian Mann Theatre in Ewell from tonight (October 21) until Saturday. Tickets cost £13 to £15 with £2 concessions on Wednesday evening and Saturday Matinee. Call 07963 803434 or go to suttontheatrecompany.com