Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Empire

Classic American musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers has been given an 'award-winning makeover', and comes to the Empire at the end of February.It stars Dancing on Ice winner Sam Attwater and Helena Blackman, a runner up in BBC1’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?. And for those who like their stage shows complete with a dubious amount of Stockholm Syndrome, it looks as if Broadway choreographer Patti Columbo has attempted to redress the balance by having the male members of the cast flex their pecs as well. So that's something.In Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Adam, the eldest of seven brothers living on an isolated farm high up in the mountains, goes to town to get himself a wife. Managing to convince Milly to marry him that very same day, he forgets to mention he has six other younger, rowdy brothers back at home.Milly decides to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, after reading about the Roman capture of the Sabine women, Adam has what he thinks is an inspired solution to his brothers’ loneliness - they will kidnap the women they want, together with a pastor to marry them. What could possibly go wrong? But pursued by the townsfolk, a massive avalanche means they are all trapped together for months before the winter snow melts...The show is packed with timeless songs including Bless Your Beautiful Hide, A Woman Ought to Know Her Place and Goin’ Courtin’, as well as two new songs never heard before in any UK stage version of the show.Sam Attwater (Adam) made his name with roles in Hollyoaks and EastEnders. He recently played Brad Majors in the 40th anniversary tour of The Rocky Horror Show, and also appeared in Dreamboats and Petticoats in the West End.Patti Colombo has been hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “one of the finest musical-comedy choreographers in the business”, and among the producers of the production is Paul 'Just Good Friends' Nicholas.Catch it at the Empire from February 24 until March 1.