On the day it marks nine years since opening its doors, Hope Mill Theatre has announced it will present a new concert version of Nine the Musical, starring Broadway and West End star Ramin Karimloo, at The Lowry, Salford next year.
The concert will be in celebration of Hope Mill’s 9th Birthday – and will play for two performances only at The Lowry, on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd February 2025.
Nine, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, and a book by Arthur Kopit, adapted from the Italian by Mario Fratti, will be co-directed by Hope Mill founders William Whelton and Joseph Houston. This production will be produced by Whelton and Rhianna Swyer for Hope Mill Theatre and will feature casting by Jim Arnold. Key Artwork Design by FEAST Creative.
It follows Hope Mill Theatre’s concert version of Gypsy, starring Jodie Prenger, in February 2024.
Movie director Guido Contini finds himself struggling to find meaning, purpose, and a script for his latest movie endeavour. With only a week left before shooting begins, he desperately searches for answers and inspiration from his wife, his mistress, his muse, and his mother. As his chaotic profession steadily destroys his personal life, Guido must find a balance between creating art and succumbing to its obsessive demands.
Featuring the songs, ‘Be Italian’, ‘Unusual Way’, ‘Cinema Italiano’ and many more.
Nine the musical won the 1982 Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Original Score, and was released as a movie in 2009 and featured an all-star cast including Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Fergie, Sophia Loren and Judi Dench.
Hope Mill Theatre’s co-founder Joseph Houston, co-director of NINE, said: “As Hope Mill Theatre celebrates its 9th Birthday, it only felt right that we celebrate with our biggest concert to date. It is an absolute honour to be working with the talent that is RAMIN KARIMLOO and for us there was no other Guido. We are excited to share our wider cast very soon and bring the story of Nine to the stage in the glorious Lyric stage at The Lowry early next year.
“I was initially introduced to the musical NINE at drama school when a fellow student sang ‘Unusual Way’ and I thought it was one of the most beautiful songs I had heard. Then in 2009 I was introduced to the full score and story with the movie release and was instantly hooked. I come from a family of Italian-Scottish immigrants, so have always felt an affinity with Nine. The story above all else is about women and the strong powerful influence they have in one man’s life, something I can connect with deeply. “
