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Mable Stark: Tiger Tamer
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Mabel Stark: Tiger Tamer
Mabel Stark: Tiger Tamer
A new musical.
Music by Jonathan Cooper; Lyrics by Barb Jungr
Commissioned by the Royal & Derngate Theatres.
With additional support from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Greenwich Theatre, & Nitro.
A sung-through music theatre piece telling the real life story of one of the twentieth century’s greatest female circus performers, Mabel Stark. Rising through the ranks of the circus from exotic dancer to star turn, Mabel Stark becomes a world-renowned big cat trainer, performing with lions, tigers and even the odd panther. Mabel was outspoken, irascible, moody and often unpredictable but irresistible to men, rapidly going through a succession of husbands. But the real constant in her life is Rajah, a magnificent male Bengal tiger. This music theatre version of Mabel’s life features a male chorus and two Mabels - one older and one younger - and is based on a series of letters she wrote to a potential biographer.
First showcased in Musical Futures at the Greenwich Theatre in November 2008. Supported by Greenwich Theatre and Nitro.
Developed further by Royal & Derngate Theatres, Northampton and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in October 2009 with Director Laurie Sansom.
Full version commissioned by Royal & Derngate Theatres in January 2011 for production in 2012.
Contact Jonathan Cooper for more information.
