We had the pleasure of attending the press night of GSA’s production of Our House last night and it was just superb! We are very proud partners of GSA and would recommend highly that you get yourselves along to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre this week to watch the show… if you can get a ticket!
SUGGS COMES BACK TO “OUR HOUSE”
Our House – The Madness Musical. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX. Pictures Jake Darling
It was a case of “Will the real Joe Casey stand up!” at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Tuesday evening. Mike Jibson, the GSA graduate who created the lead role of Joe Casey in the original 2002 West End production of The Madness Musical – Our House, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award, was in the audience to see GSA’s current production of the show which stars a large, talented cast headed by Aran MacRae as Joe Casey.
In an audience peppered with key members of the entertainment industry including GSA alumni Brenda Blethyn and Caroline Sheen mingling with local dignitaries including Elizabeth Kennedy, Lord High Sheriff of Surrey and Guildford Mayor, Nikki Nelson-Smith, GSA was thrilled to welcome Suggs himself to this Gala performance. Suggs the lead singer of Madness, the band whose songs inspired the musical and who also played the role of Joe Casey’s dad for a short time during the West End run, was delighted to be able to attend the show and to surprise the cast afterwards.
At the post-show gathering where they met the cast, Suggs and Mike Jibson presented the current ‘Joe Casey‘ with a very special memento – a poster from the original West End production signed by all the members of Madness back in 2003. The framed memorabilia had been donated by the Moodie family from Rudgwick and had belonged to their son Elliot, a great Madness fan who sadly passed way from cancer far too young a few years ago. Elliot even chose the Madness song It Must be Love for his funeral.
The family held on to the poster hoping to find someone who would appreciate owning it. By chance they noticed GSA was doing Our House and made contact. Elliot’s parents, brother and aunt attended at the gala evening at GSA’s request and mum Vina said afterwards.
“Elliot was the most caring, loving and fun loving son…. always a great Madness fan, going to all their concerts and seeing Our House four times. The Moodie family is thrilled that this poster is going to an appreciative new home and we wish Aran and the cast a successful future. To sum up the time we had with our son, ‘Oh! What fun we had!’
GSA’s Marketing Officer, Madeleine Gibb added “We were delighted Suggs could join us as he is off on tour again from April 22nd with Suggs – My Story in Words and Music so timing is everything. It was a very special night with so many people from different walks of life coming together to celebrate the tremendous talent of GSA students training here in Guildford at the University of Surrey.”
Through the music of Madness, writer Tim Firth explores the themes of love, family values, growing up, responsibility and dealing with losing the people that shape us. This production runs until Saturday 19th March at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford so why not be part of the Madness that is Our House.
Find out more details and booking HERE
Our House – The Madness Musical. Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX. Pictures: Jake Darling
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Our House – Guildford School of Acting
By Guildford Fringe Festival