THE BILLIE HOLIDAY STORY.

Press Release

Breaking News

Richard Pryor’s Daughter stars in hit musical:

THE BILLIE HOLIDAY STORY ________________________________________________________________________________________

The Billie Holiday Story, a compelling theatre piece which played to packed houses throughout Europe, will be coming to The Drum, Birmingham on Thu 28 June to Sat 30 June as part of its UK tour. This no-holds barred musical by Theatre Productions dramatises the life of legendary singer Billie Holiday.

Billie is powerfully portrayed by Rain Pryor, daughter of the legendary black comedian Richard Pryor, and an International Star in her own right. She is a dynamic speaker, spokesperson, award winning actress, singer, writer, comedian and producer. Starring alongside her is Louis Emerick, in the role of Paul Robeson. Louis is known to millions as Mick Johnson from Brookside and has featured in Casualty and The Bill.

“For fans of her comedy, acting or singing prowess; it is both a rare and exciting opportunity to meet the star in person on the opening night! Rain Pryor steps out from the shadow of her famous father to take centre stage in this dark, emotional portrayal of Jazz’s fallen angel.”

Sati Parmar (Marketing & Press) – The Drum.

The Billie Holiday Story reveals the woman behind the legend, from her traumatic childhood in the back streets of Baltimore to the colourful Jazz scene of New York’s café society and Harlem’s Apollo Theatre, alcohol, drugs and turbulent relationships all leading to a tragic, premature demise at the age of 44.

The Billie Holiday Story uses cutting-edge multi-media techniques, mixing theatre and film, recreating a truly atmospheric depiction of the 40s Jazz era. The performance includes original footage of the Jiving Lindy Hoppers, an authentic big band sound, and 22 of Billie’s classic songs such as Begin the Beguine, The Lady is a Tramp, Lover-man, Ole man River, Summertime, God Bless the Child, and her theme tune, Strange Fruit, which is recognised as one of the ten great songs that changed the world! ‘Strange Fruit’ began life as a poem about the lynching of a black man, written by a Jewish school teacher from the Bronx named Abel Meeropol, best known under his pseudonym Lewis Allan. Rain Pryor’s performance of ‘Strange Fruit’ is rendered even more poignant as a result of her African- American/Jewish heritage.

Holiday’s tragic and tempestuous story, one of escape and extremes incorporates dramatic scenes and familiar hits with characters such as Ella Fitzgerald, Artie Shaw and Paul Robeson, brought to life by a multi-talented cast of West-End performers.

Join us on this journey revealing the truth behind the legend. Tickets on sale now – £12, (£10) – Box Office: 0121 333 2444 or book online at www.the-drum.org.uk.

Ends

MEDIA CONTACT: Sati Parmar on 0121 333 2404 – s.parmar@the-drum.org.uk

Notes to Editors: –

Tour dates – www.theatre-productions.com

• The actress and comedian Rain Pryor, 38, is the daughter of the comedian Richard Pryor who died of multiple sclerosis in December 2005.

• Rain and Richard Pryor are the first ever father daughter team to both have headlined at The Comedy store – Rain took to the stage built for her dad and wowed the crowd last year.
• Rain Pryor is an MS Lifelines Ambassador, committed to fight for a cure of Multiple Sclerosis. She is a key host and speaker around the country to educate family and friends about MS treatment options and therapies, in honour of her Dad.
• The song Strange Fruit was ultimately to become the anthem of the anti-lynching movement. The dark imagery of the lyrics struck a chord, and can be said to have planted one of the first seeds of what would later become the Civil Rights movement of the 50s and 60s.
• The cast will meet the audience and sign autographs on the Opening Night of the show – Thu 28 Jun.