Blues in the Night

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Blues in the Night: A Soulful West End Revue

"Blues in the Night" brought the raw, soulful pulse of American blues to the West End, debuting at the Donmar Warehouse on June 9, 1987, and running through July 19. Conceived by Sheldon Epps, this musical revue featured no dialogue, letting 26 torch songs and blues numbers tell the tales of three women and one man in a rundown Chicago hotel. After a Tony-nominated Broadway run, its London staging earned two Olivier nods, including Best New Musical. A 2019 revival at the Kiln Theatre from July 18 to September 7 reaffirmed its power. As of March 23, 2025, it remains a testament to the blues’ enduring theatrical resonance.

A Journey from Broadway to London

Sheldon Epps birthed "Blues in the Night" off-Broadway in 1980, with Gregory Hines co-directing, before its 1982 Broadway stint at the Rialto Theatre earned a Tony nomination. The West End welcomed it in 1987 at the intimate Donmar, directed by Steve Whately, with Carol Woods’ standout performance snagging an Olivier nomination for Best Actress. Featuring classics by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, and Harold Arlen, arranged by Sy Johnson, it ran over a year after transferring to the Piccadilly Theatre, captivating London with its sultry, dialogue-free format.

Stories in Song

Set in 1938 Chicago, the revue unfolds in a seedy hotel where three women—The Lady, The Woman, and The Girl—share tales of love and betrayal with a charming yet deceitful Man. Songs like “Blues in the Night,” “Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues,” and “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues” weave their narratives, from The Lady’s nostalgic ache to The Girl’s hopeful heartbreak. Backed by a live band, the music—spanning raunchy to tender—carries the emotional weight, ending with a collective lament that echoes the blues’ gritty essence.

A West End Milestone

The 1987 Donmar production, starring Carol Woods, David Kernan, Maria Friedman, and Clarke Peters, marked a West End triumph, its year-plus run fueled by critical praise and blues lovers’ fervor. The 2019 Kiln Theatre revival, directed by Susie McKenna, brought Olivier winners Sharon D. Clarke and Clive Rowe alongside Debbie Kurup and Gemma Sutton, earning raves for its “sizzling” energy over 51 shows. Both runs showcased the revue’s lean power—four voices, a five-piece band, and Robert Jones’ evocative design proving less is more.

A Lasting Blues Legacy

By March 23, 2025, "Blues in the Night" stands as a West End rarity—a revue that thrives on music alone. Its 1987 Olivier nods and 2019 revival highlight its staying power, with runs at Hackney Empire (2014) and the Hippodrome Casino (2017) adding to its London lore. Though no cast album captures its West End spirit, its celebration of blues icons and human struggle keeps it alive, a soulful counterpoint to Theatreland’s glossier giants, resonating with anyone who’s felt the night’s deep, mournful call.