Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
Following an award-winning and sell-out run on Broadway, Lanie Robertson’s sparkling musical play Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill now arrives at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre.
It’s 1959 and jazz legend Billie Holiday is playing a small bar in Philadelphia. It will be one of her last performances. As she shares stories about her stormy personal life, her battle with addiction and her ground-breaking vocal style, she also, of course, sings.
Making her much-anticipated West End debut, Broadway superstar Audra McDonald will reprise her Tony Award-winning role as Billie Holiday.
Featuring a sensational score, including ‘God Bless The Child’, ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do’ and ‘Strange Fruit’, a stellar performance and captivating insights into the life of one of the greatest jazz singers of all time, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is not to be missed.
With performances running from 25 June to 3 September only, book your tickets to Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill today.
★★★★★
‘Audra McDonald is spellbinding as Billie Holiday.
It’s the real deal. Get a ticket.’
The Times
★★★★★
‘Awesome, astonishing and sensational’
Mail on Sunday
★★★★★
‘The most daring and accomplished performance of the year’
Sunday Express
‘A powerhouse performance’
Evening Standard
‘Utterly intoxicating.’
The Telegraph
- Cast
AUDRA MCDONALD (Billie Holiday)
Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actress. Recipient of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy Award, she was bestowed a 2015 National Medal of Arts by President Obama and also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people that year.
LANIE ROBERTSON (Writer)
Lanie Robertson began his career in Philadelphia with The Insanity of Mary Girard, a play which recently toured Ireland. His plays have been performed at many regional theatres throughout the United States and the world.
LONNY PRICE (Director)
In the West End, Lonny Price directed English National Opera productions of Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close, which is currently playing a limited engagement at the Palace Theatre on Broadway, as well as Emma Thomson and Bryn Terfel in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, which transferred to the ENO from Lincoln Center in New York.
- Duration
Approximately 90 minutes with no interval.
- Good To Know
Patrons seated on stage and at cabaret seating must check their bags into the free of charge cloakrooms provided. Should you require assistance, please ask a member of staff who will gladly assist.
- News
C
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email with your booking reference.
If you choose collect at box office please print this and bring it with you on the day of the show a minimum of 30 minutes before the performance start time.
If you choose post - tickets are sent to the address provided.- Where Do I Go
Wyndham's Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA
How To Get There -
By Train: Charing Cross (approx. 200m)
By Tube: Leicester Square (next to theatre), Charing Cross (approx. 600m), Holborn (approx. 600m)
By Bus: 24, 29, 176
Parking: Various Q-Parking, there is also parking available at MasterPark at Cambridge Circus (150m) and NCP at Bedfordbury and Upper St Martin's Lane.
Reviews
Nancy
Sep 17, 2017
Loved it!
S Smith
Sep 11, 2017
Absolutely stunning. So easily, this play might have been one that strayed onto impersonation territory. However, Audra McDonald's formidable talent conjured the essence of the great Billy Holiday, in a performance which felt very much like a channelling of the legendary singer herself. Abuse, drug addiction and unrelenting racism, provided context for understanding something of the tragic figure Holiday would eventually become. But as pivotal as such themes were to the overall narrative, the play triumphed in not reducing her to mere victim. Instead, displayed was a full humanity, which left intact, enough flashes of her notorious steeliness and grit, such that, by the end, there was little doubting the once fierce spirit and courage of a woman who battled for some semblance of a life lived on her own terms, despite monstrous odds. Beautiful, and profoundly moving.
ROGER HOPKINSON
Sep 11, 2017
Best individual performance I've ever seen on the London stage.
Tom
Sep 10, 2017
This was a great show. Fantastic performance by Audra McDonald who takes you on a journey as Billie Holiday! We were not expecting for her to capture her vocals so well. Very emotional show, the theatre was electric at points. Great band, great set, great songs. We needed a moment to catch our breaths by the end.
Michelle
Sep 9, 2017
Amazing show, thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes jazz or theatre. My Dad used to listen to Billie and I wasn't a great fan if her music that was until I saw this show!!
Lesley Kelsey
Sep 9, 2017
This did not live up to my expectations.Very short show for money paid.Yes she can sing but not much content.
Carol
Sep 8, 2017
Audra McDonald's portrayal of Billie Holiday was both exhilarating and heart wrenching! Her passion for her art was very plain to see and made for a wonderful night out. Thank you Audra!
Tim Vine
Sep 8, 2017
This was a great idea for a play about Billie Holiday. A very clever setting which allowed some of the audience to become part of the bar. Audra McDonald was utterly brilliant playing Billie Holiday in the last months of her life. The musicians were excellent in creating the right atmosphere.
Thea Bunting
Sep 8, 2017
Perfection
Helen Bertuzzi
Sep 8, 2017
Wonderful performance by Audra. Could pretend one is in a New York club back in the day. Sounded just like Billie. Amazing!
Penny
Sep 8, 2017
Audra McDonald not only captures Billie Holliday's voice superbly but she expresses the pain of Billie Holliday's life. The musicians are so good as well.
Sheila
Sep 8, 2017
Brilliant performance highlight billie holidays life. Not a fan of billie holidays but absolutely enjoyed the show nonetheless
retiree
Sep 8, 2017
Amazing, emotional performance. Loved the night club setting and my seat, G9, was perfect! Great leg room
Stuart S
Sep 8, 2017
This was a sensational performance !! We went to the matinee and wondered how on earth she could manage another performance in the evening !
TBI
Sep 7, 2017
Superb. Shed a tear or two as it had quite a few powerful messages
N&J
Sep 7, 2017
This was an amazing recreation of a moment in time, brilliantly portrayed, outstanding performance by Audra Macdonald. Harrowing, heartbreaking and thoroughly captivating, an immersion in Billie Hollidays life and last performance at Emersons Bar & Grill. God bless Lady Day!
Clairebear
Sep 6, 2017
Wow what a performance. Really moving and emotional. Superb
Brenda
Sep 6, 2017
Absolutely amazing performance - the best. Would recommend it 100%.
Janet
Sep 1, 2017
Not what I expected but truly enlightening
Terry
Sep 1, 2017
Brilliant evening capturing the essence of Billy Holiday.
JBB
Sep 1, 2017
Didn't know what to expect..... I'm in London on holiday and wow did miss day give me a treat.... Managed to get a box... The whole experience was the highlight if my stay........ If she goes on tour I'll be the first to book.... Fab night
Harriet
Sep 1, 2017
Brilliant performance, I felt as though I had gone back in time to 1959 to hear the real Billy Holiday sing and describe the experiences that made her.
Savvas Hiridis
Aug 30, 2017
Amazing play! Unbelievable performance and multipliity of talents.
Jeanie Tate
Aug 26, 2017
The beautiful Audra McDonald, I will remember this special evening for the rest of my life. How can this Lady each performance give so much. To me, it was, Billy Holiday and I lived that night with her. How do you put on a performance like this and then do it again and again. A wonderful experience xx
Chloe McIntosh
Aug 25, 2017
Never in all my years of going to the theatre have I been completely and utterly transported to another time and place. I left with a little bit of Holiday in my soul thanks to McDonald... I will be forever in her debt.
Arthur Griffiths
Aug 25, 2017
This is the first time I've been to the theatre in quite a while. However, I'm so glad I made the effort to travel down from Poulton. I'm not really a big fan of Billie Holiday, I prefer Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan, but Audra McDonald's performance was absolutely sensational . The band were great, especially Shelton Becton on the piano and the set looked perfect.
Ralph Lewars
Aug 25, 2017
The show was truly amazing! The jazz musicians (trio) were brilliant, they really knew how to swing with such sensitivity and class. The stage setting and sound quality were ideal for an intimate journey back in time to Emersons Bar. And then...the magical reincarnation of Billy Holiday began as Audra MacDonald made her appearance. She was Brilliant! Audra captured the audience with the sound of Billy's voice and by the visual nuances and mannerism of her character. I felt the raw emotion and energy throughout the performance as Audra convincingly narrated Billy's life. I plan to see the show again and tell my friends to go see it. The experience is too good to miss. Fabulous!
Miss A K
Aug 23, 2017
Audra Macdonald was extraordinary in this wonderful biopic vignette. She captured the Lady's spirit, her voice and tendency to make light of a traumatic life. The energy this performance took was staggering! Bravo Audra and thank you for bringing her back to us for a brief encounter and glimpse into a most prolific jazz legend. I left wanting to see and know more of this tragic yet moving historic figure
Ju
Aug 21, 2017
The whole story is so well told. From the very first note that was sung, you were convinced you were listening to Billy Holiday herself. Amazing performance and portrayal by Audra McDonald. Go see it.
Diankles
Aug 19, 2017
Brilliantly cast, brilliantly executed Brilliant musicians A brilliant evening!
Lyn Gore
Aug 19, 2017
Unbelievable performance! Enjoyed every second
Mae
Aug 16, 2017
I was impressed by how the writer had combined Billie's story with her songs and how her deterioration was played out in the final part of the show. It was so emotional and so good. Audra gave a mesmerising performance and the musicians were amazing. I would see it again.
Charles
Aug 16, 2017
Audra McDonald has an amazing voice. Her performance, both as a singer and as an actress, was an astounding tour de force - one and a half hours on stage with only a three piece jazz combo for company. She WAS Billie Holliday.
Yvonne
Aug 14, 2017
Although we were in the Gods the show was fantastic, not too many stairs to climb very nice theatre. It was like I was listening to Ms Holiday herself. Haven't stop recommending to others. Thank you
Linda
Aug 13, 2017
This was an excellent performance I could not take my eyes off her, thank you for the experience!
A J Reed
Aug 12, 2017
Excellent performance, great music and musicians, the lady herself was sensational. Good seating.
A J Reed
Aug 12, 2017
Excellent performance, great music and musicians, the lady herself was sensational. Good seating.
Holiday fan
Aug 12, 2017
McDonald excelled herself. The band were top class. I wanted more songs and less talk but she has a lot to share.
Sue Hookway
Aug 11, 2017
Incredible performance, gut wrenching and totally believable. I don't know how Audra McDonald is able to transform herself twice a day into this tormented character and carry off such impeccable renditions of such classic songs sounding so incredibly like Billy Holiday. Absolutely brilliant!
That Last Minute Guy
Aug 3, 2017
From the atmosphere and the set up like a bar (stalls), to the audience members on the stage, the excellent musicians and the pinnacle was Lady Day herself. She told a great, hard and sad story, her voice was amazing and her performance was brilliant. Definitely worth a watch.
Yvonne Williams
Jul 29, 2017
Brilliant play. So very moving.
A Londoner
Jul 29, 2017
Excellent music & singing. A moving and unforgettable portrayal of Billie Hollidays life
Lucy
Jul 29, 2017
Audra is fantastic as Billie Holiday ( close your eyes and you would think it was really her)., The mix of melancholy soul searching songs and superb acting bring the sad story of a troubled yet truely talented singer to light. The jazz band and Pepi are the perfect stage companions
Marie
Jul 28, 2017
The rotating flashing lights above the stage affected my eyes and so did my friend. We had to close our eyes at that point and dropped off to sleep for few minutes. Not the kind of musical show I expected. A bit slow for me, preferring something more lively.
Sarah
Jul 26, 2017
The music is brilliant and Lady Day draws you in to her world of segregation and racism through her stories and songs. Before long I felt like I was in Emerson's Bar, as this brilliant tragic woman's life is laid bare before you. A performance to remember.
Annie
Jul 26, 2017
Mind blowing performance! Incredibly talented portrayal of Billie Holiday's troubled life.
Heather
Jul 21, 2017
Fantastic Show, a must see! Audra McDonald and cast was Brilliant.
Tim
Jul 21, 2017
Tremendous performance, perfectly presented. Totally captivating.
Chris Neaves.
Jul 21, 2017
This was a spectacular performance from Audra McDonald both with the singing and also the portrayal of Billy Holiday herself. An enlightening show which we are already booking for a second visit.
Barbara Bell
Jul 21, 2017
We had a last minte booking so didn't have a good seat, we lost most of the action on stage as it was out of view from the gallery. However, the music, singing, staging and acting was wonderful. So emotional in places, sad in other but totally enthralling altogether. We've decided to see it again but next time with better seats so we can enjoy the whole thing. We had a lovely night, thank you.