New musical comedy Jimmy Mac, which has its world premiere on October 10 at the Gaiety Theatre as part of the inaugural TheatreFest15 programme, will feature two well-known local performers.

Kristene Sutcliffe and Michelle Jamieson will be playing alongside West End professionals in the show where the central character, Jimmy Mac, is described as ‘a lovable rogue’.

The show traces his relationships with four very different women in his life. Kristene Sutcliffe plays Alice, a well-to-do opinionated woman of class and breeding, while Michelle Jamieson plays Lucy, a sweet-natured nurse who sees only the good in everyone. The other loves in Jimmy Mac’s life are Sharon, a lonely homebody and homemaker, and Chantal, a headstrong French dancer with ambitious plans; their roles, and that of Jimmy Mac, are to be played by West End artists.

The story is told via music and dance featuring around 20 new compositions by Stuart Brayson who wrote From Here To Eternity with Sir Tim Rice.

Kristene Sutcliffe, a director of the theatre company Stage Door Entertainment, was born in Wales, raised in the Isle of Man and was the first winner of the Young Singer of Mann competition. She has most recently been seen as Carlotta in Taylorian Productions’ sell-out success Phantom of the Opera.

‘I play Alice, she’s “posh totty” with a touch of the “cougar” about her,’ she said, adding: ‘It’ll be interesting to see how Alice and the other women in Jimmy’s life drive the action and, of course, to be working with West End names brings an extra dimension to the project. As an actor, to be involved in what’s a totally new work is a real privilege and I can’t wait to get started.’

Former Young Singer of Mann and Young Actor of Mann Michelle Jamieson has been involved in many local productions including Cats, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Evita. She also played Mary in The Manx Passion, the epic production staged at different locations across the Isle of Man in Holy Week as part of the Island of Culture 2014 celebrations.

‘This is such an exciting project to be part of,’ she said. ‘It will be great to work with West End professionals and learn from them. I’ve met Stuart Brayson once and his From Here To Eternity is my all-time favourite musical. For an actor, to be working on something that’s completely new is a great challenge and really puts you on the spot. And, as a new work there’s the opportunity to provide some of your own input, so I’m really looking forward to meeting the rest of the cast and starting rehearsals.’

TheatreFest15 is a five-year project encouraging new work for the theatre and is a partnership between the Isle of Man Arts Council and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). Tony Gibbs, NODA’s chief executive said: ‘Jimmy Mac is a box-fresh new work for the theatre, so is a perfect fit with TheatreFest15.’

Jimmy Mac is at the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday October 10.
Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
To book, visit villagaiety.com or call the ticket hotline 01624 600555.

Photo - Jimmy Mac cast members Kristene Sutcliffe and Michelle Jamieson. Photo Andrew Barton.