A dazzling and heart-warming stage show charting the careers and relationship between Hollywood mother and daughter Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, is stepping out on a UK tour this month calling at Abergavenny’s Borough Theatre on Friday, June 7.

Judy & Liza is produced by Bill Elms Productions and On Song Productions; created and written by West End performer Emma Dears who appears as Liza Minnelli; with Francis Goodhand as musical director.

Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB)
Emma Dears as Liza (Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB))

 Emma performs alongside Helen Sheals, who plays Judy Garland. Together they belt out timeless classics with uncanny resemblance of Judy and Liza, bursting with their unrivalled and elusive star quality.

Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB)
Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB) (Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB))

 The incredible talents of two of the biggest names in Hollywood showbusiness – mother and daughter Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli – are reunited thanks to this sensational musical experience.  The production tells the turbulent tale of the stars against the backdrop of their famous 1964 London Palladium concert. Audiences are taken on an emotional rollercoaster journey as they discover the uncanny parallels between some of Judy and Liza’s most iconic songs and their own personal lives.

 The show features performances of iconic songs including Cabaret, Maybe This Time, Over The Rainbow, The Man That Got Away, The Trolley Song, and Together Wherever We Go.

 Liverpool-born actress Emma Dears penned the musical biopic to critical acclaim. Emma’s acting career began at the age of nine when she toured the UK in the title role of Annie. She later headed to London to join the Italia Conti Academy for Performing Arts leaving before completing the course as she was offered a part in the tour of Les Miserables. Emma’s West End roles have included Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and Oliver. Television roles include Emmerdale, Nice Guy Eddie, Shameless, Hollyoaks, Brookside, and Second Coming.

 Helen maybe widely known for her roles in Coronation Street and Downton Abbey but she is no stranger to portraying Judy Garland having previously played the title role in the West End musical Judy! Her extensive theatre roles have included Mistress Quickly in Merry Wives and Goneril in King Lear directed by Sir Jonathan Miller; Mari Hoff in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Shirley Valentine. TV credits include Brookside, Last Tango in Halifax, Silent Witness and three seasons of Downton Abbey.

Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB)
Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB) (Judy And Liza ( PIcture by Andrew AB))

 Producer Bill Elms commented: “We are thrilled to announce another UK outing of the sensational musical Judy & Liza, it’s a show very close to my heart as I worked on the very first run over 12 years ago. We can promise audiences an entertaining and memorable experience, with some fantastic music from two incredible Hollywood icons in this captivating show. ”

 Writer and actress Emma Dears added: “I am really excited to be taking Judy and Liza’s emotional and iconic story back on the road. Whether you’re a fan of Judy or Liza, or both, their story is unique. The show is full of love, heartache, and passion, and Helen and I have worked tirelessly to make sure we get every tiny detail just right. Join us for an evening with the mother and daughter who really did put the ‘show’ into showbiz.”