AUDIENCES are going to be transported to the “glamorous” world of Mame Dennis where every day is a party.

Tracie Bennett (Follies, National Theatre) and Harriet Thorpe (A Princess Undone, UK tour) star in the first professional UK revival of Jerry Herman’s musical MAME which comes to Salisbury from January 21 to 25.

Following a run at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester in October, MAME tours for two limited weeks in the New Year to Northampton and then Salisbury Playhouse from January 21 to 25 2020.

Tracie, playing Mame, says: “It is about friendship and love, integrity and family values.

“Basically, Mame is a hedonist and avant guard kind of person, she loves everybody and everybody loves her.

“She has a party every single night for avant guard people and they have a laugh, and dance and sing together.”

However, her life changes when her brother dies and she becomes responsible for a little boy.

“She has to suddenly deal with this 10-year-old coming into this party lifestyle that she lives and how that affects her and everybody around him and her,” explains Tracie.

“It is really about the women in the show, friendship and family, and not the things we expect like success or money,” adds Harriet.

MAME, a classic 1960s musical, with book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E Lee and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, has not been seen in the UK since the original West End production in 1969 starring Ginger Rogers.

Set in New York City and spanning the Great Depression and the Second World War, the musical focuses on eccentric bohemian Mame Dennis.

“It has something for everybody really,” continues Tracie.

“It is very glamorous and very moving, I hope,” added Tracie, who is looking forward to coming to Salisbury for the first time. “It is really enjoyable to do.”

Harriet, who plays friend Vera, described her character as “funny, hysterical and likes a drink or two,” adding: “I would much rather play a psychotic, crazy woman, a crazy queen who killed her husband, the floozy woman, than a normal character.”

Talking about the world of theatre, Harriet added: “Whether nine or 90 you can communicate with the audience, you talk to all ages together, and there are not many cultures that are able to do that.”

Harriet and Tracey will be accompanied by TV host favourite Darren Day, as well as Chase Brown, Grace Chapman, Lauren Chia, Soo Drouet, Jessie May, Hugh Osborne, Lewis Rae, Pippa Winslow, Benjamin Wong and Liam Wrate.

MAME is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, with musical direction by Alex Parker.

For tickets go to wiltshirecreative.co.uk or 01722 320333.