“I can think of several world-beating musicals that have started life with less, and gone on to global success.” The Scotsman THE GATES West Side Story meets Cabaret Music: Andrew Cruickshank | Words & Direction: Rachel Jury A night of music, song, passion, star-crossed lovers and gangster warfare in this extravaganza of 1950s Blues, Jazz and Gospel influenced musical. Post-war Chelsea, London: bohemian, broad-minded and wild, a world of its own, the habitat of artists, musicians and theatricals. The Gateways: a small private members' club in the heart of Chelsea, one of the first and most infamous women’s clubs in the world. The Gates: a love story between two women in 1950s played out against the backdrop of gangster warfare, set in Chelsea and The Gateways. October 2013 saw the world premiere of The Gates in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. “I can think of several world-beating musicals that have started life with less, and gone on to global success.” The Scotsman PRESS CUTTINGS: THE GATES 2013 THE SCOTSMAN Joyce McMillan Four Stars It is also the backdrop for Cruickshank’s astonishing score, which features almost 20 new songs, many of them with a gorgeous, doomed, jazz-blues intonation that perfectly fits the theme. At its core, though, this show has a great setting, an important tale to tell, half-a-dozen superb songs, exciting crowd scenes, and a handful of performances with real star quality. I can think of several world-beating musicals that have started life with less, and gone on to global success. http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/theatre-comedy-dance/theatre-review-the-gates-edinburgh-1-3149277 EDINBURGH GUIDE Irene Brown Four Stars The programme blurb makes the ambitious claim that the show is ‘West Side Story meets Cabaret meets Chicago’ and it turns out that is pretty much what it is. There is a strong feeling that this company has embodied the ethos behind The Gateway’s as they worked so well together with all remaining in character throughout. Inspired by a variety of music from the 1950s, this beautiful burlesque hymn to love, liberation and respect is one well worth hearing. http://www.edinburghguide.com/reviews/musicals/thegatesloveliberationandrespectsummerhallreview-13999 THE PUBLIC REVIEW Mark McCulloch Four Stars Utilising the in-house bar as the backdrop is a touch of genius for this new work. The audience (welcomed as club members by the cast in character strewn throughout the venue) are lulled into the speakeasy atmosphere of the original venue and made witness to the unfolding events. Jo played by Seweryna Aga Dudzinska and Judy by Jennifer Dempster portray their characters with conviction. Their talent cannot be denied; alone their voices are astounding, but when in harmony is akin to lovers intertwined. Dempster is a performer to watch out for, a leading lady in the making. The Gates, with some work could easily achieve the success of such niche productions as musical theatre mega-hit Rent. http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-gates-classic-grand-glasgow/ WHEN SALLY MET SALLY Suzanne Egerton The story is simple but powerful: set in the repressive 1950s, butch Jo falls for blonde gangster’s moll Judy, with terrible consequences. There were some excellent songs, and the lovers’ duets were particularly stunning and memorable. The atmosphere of the club (most of the action takes place in the real bar of the venue) was as cleverly evoked as was the period, and among the set-pieces a slo-mo bar fight under red lighting was brilliantly choreographed. The audience came away feeling uplifted, nurtured and proud of our pioneers. http://www.whensallymetsally.co.uk/entertainment/music-and-performance/gates-lesbian-musical-gateways-club-chelsea-rachel-jury