European premiere for Rent composer’s other work

Published Tuesday 27 January 2004 at 15:15 by Jeremy Austin

Four songs from Tick Tick Boom, the only other show by the late composer of Rent Jonathan Larson, are to receive their European premiere in a one night only performance at the Donmar Warehouse in March.

Starring Debbie Kurup, Paul Spicer, Julie Atherton and Craig Purnell, the show will be the second in the Notes from New York series of West End shows, directed by David Randall and staged by Spicer. Although originally produced in New York in 1991, the show’s international rights have been closely controlled by the Larson estate. Approaches from interested parties have been refused on the grounds that their proposals were not appropriate.

Said Randall: “We’re delighted that the Larson Estate has granted us permission to use songs from Jonathan’s Tick Tick Boom. It is a real coup for us to have secured the rights to this material and both the performers and the creative team are looking forward to presenting the work in front of a UK audience for the very first time. Those familiar with Jonathan’s work will know what an extremely exciting prospect this is.”

As well as the songs from Tick Tick Boom, there will be a selection from Rent and some pieces by Tony Award-winners William Finn and Jason Robert Brown. The show is on March 7.

• Pugilist Specialist, presented by the Riot Group - winners of The Stage Best Ensemble award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year - has been given a three-week run at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, from April 20. It is currently enjoying a run at Soho Theatre, where an extra matinee on February 4 has been announced. A 26-venue national tour will commence after the Soho residency ends on February 7.