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Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill hero image
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill hero image
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill hero image
    remarkably powerful play
    BritishTheatre.com
    a heartbreaking portrait
    Radio Times

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill Tickets

Wyndham's Theatre

Global superstar Audra McDonald becomes the legendary Billie Holiday for this utterly moving journey through the extraordinary jazz singer’s life. Directed by Lonny Price, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill immerses the audience in one of Holiday’s final performances. Through heart-breaking monologues and a score full of Holiday’s touching music, the musical celebrates the loves and losses of one of the jazz world’s brightest stars.

Multiple Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald makes her highly anticipated West End debut as the legendary jazz star Billie Holiday at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre. Directed by the prolific Lonny Price (Company, Candide) Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill immerses the audience in one of Holiday’s most intimate gigs, discovering her heart-breaking loves and losses.

Written by Lanie Robertson (The Insanity of Mary Girard), the critically-acclaimed Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill takes the audience on a tumultuous journey through Holiday’s extraordinary life. Set at a bar in 1959 Philadelphia, Holiday gives what became one of her final performances, opening up to her awaiting audience. Through moving monologues and a heart-wrenching score accompanied by a luscious live jazz band, McDonald gives the performance of her career as the renowned jazz singer. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill includes plenty of popular songs, such as ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do’, ‘Strange Fruit’ and ‘Taint Nobody’s Biz-ness’.

Earning two 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Actress for her performance as Holiday, McDonald is the only performer in Tony history to have received awards from all four acting categories. Her extensive credits include Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun and Gershwin’s ultimate classic Porgy and Bess. McDonald’s musical prowess has also been recognised by winning two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, with multiple solo albums recorded.

Revered as one of the greatest voices of all time, Holiday rose to fame in the 1930s and 40s and recorded various hits that have become defining jazz numbers. After a struggle with addiction which caused an untimely death at the age of 44, Holiday was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill celebrates the singer in all her glory, with moving, inspirational music that will remind the audience of one of the world’s greatest stars. This is set to be one of the hottest tickets in town.

Sorry this show closed 09 September 2017, we recommend these similar productions.

The Phantom of the Opera
ABBA Voyage
Les Miserables
Performance dates:
08 Sep 2017 - 09 Sep 2017
Running time:
1 hour and 30 minutes.
Age recommendation:
May not be suitable for very young children
Audience Notes:
Billie Holiday fans will not be disappointed, as Audra McDonald transforms magnificently into the legendary singer and shouldn't miss the chance to get tickets!

Latest Audience Reviews

The greatest performance you'll see for years. What a woman Audra McDonald is, it was like Billie... More

I only saw this show to see Audra McDonald in action and boy was it worth it. What an absolutely... More

A very powerful and unique show. Audra was sensational and it was a real treat to see her perform... More

Audra McDonald in this show is beyond words. Her performance is a complete masterclass in acting... More

Wow..... One of the best performances on stage this year. Audra McDonald should win an award for... More

I was stiff at the end; itt would've helped if I'd moved more - but you see, I was so enthralled!... More

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