They Call Her Natasha
Thu 14 July
Times 8pm
Tickets £16
Quays Theatre
Interviews with cast and creative team available on request
Critically acclaimed singer songwriter Lou Dalgleish plays Elsie Costello in the Edinburgh festival hit show They Call Her Natasha. This drama laced with, and inspired by, the music of Elvis Costello at The Lowry on Thu 14 July.
Dalgleish’s character is spawned from the line “They call her Natasha but she looks like Elsie”, taken from Costello’s classic hit I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea. Having set up Murdered with Kindness theatre company, They Call Her Natasha is written by renowned singer songwriters Lou Dalgleish and Michael Weston King and tells the story of Elsie Costello. As dialogue intertwines with the songs of Elvis Costello, Elsie’s story strangely mirrors that of her male counterpart.
The show celebrates Costello’s work, ranging from his 1976 debut album, My Aim Is True, right through to All This Useless Beauty of 1996. They Call Her Natasha presents his songs with flair and imagination, and whilst always remaining true to the spirit of the original versions, interpretations of such classics as Accidents Will Happen, Shipbuilding, Alison and I Want You, have the hallmarks of one of finest voices around stamped on them.
From the opening bars of a lilting 'Accidents Will Happen' to the joyous finale of a rocking 'Pump It Up', this is something very different.
An evening out with a female Elvis impersonator no less, but also something much more. This is a musical play about a female whose life mirrors (increasingly deliberately) that of her idol, Elvis (Costello). And one wonders whether Elsie Costello is a childlike fan or someone with an obsession, or whether she really exits at all, other than as a device to tell the tale of something akin to Mr McManus' life in words and music. Whichever, it's a clever way to play Costello songs for the evening, but take them one stage further.
This tale of Elsie Costello plays out to a soundtrack of Costello's classic songs including Accidents Will Happen, Shipbuilding, Alison, I Want You and many more.
Elsie is breathtakingly performed by Lou Dalgleish, accompanied by co-writer Michael Weston King’s guitar and vocals, and the phenomenal piano skills of Gladstone Wilson.
'Fans of quality songs and stunning singing must see this' – The Independent
'An imaginative, elegant interpretation, an energizing voyage through the Elvis Costello songbook, fronted by a pure and gorgeous voice” – Irish Examiner
Lou Dalgleish has made four albums in a career that has taken her music across Europe, America and Japan, playing alongside the likes of Bryan Ferry, and Paul Carrack Her album Calmer features an intimate version of Costello’s Indoor Fireworks.
Lou often turns her artistic attentions to the work of her main influence. Indeed, she has also toured with The Brodsky Quartet, performing songs from the album they co-wrote with Costello, The Juliet Letters.
More details and photos at;
www.facebook.com/theycallhernatasha
Notes to Editors
Murdered with Kindness presents;
They Call Her Natasha
Age: 8+
Running time: 1 hour 50 mins (including interval)
Dates: Thursday 14th July
Venue: The Quays, The Lowry, Salford
Times: Evenings at 8 pm
Ticket prices: £12 - £16
Box Office: 0870 11 2020
Online Booking (24-hour):
www.thelowry.com