As Kevin Wilson prepares to celebrate 25 years as a London publicst, in February, he shares his Top 10 shows from across that time.
Wilson told us: "Over that quarter century, as a one-man boutique agency, I have represented over 2,000 shows in the West End, Off West End, on UK tour and at the Edinburgh Fringe - indeed 2020 marks my 21st year there."
"From that amazing collection of productions I have picked my Top 10 to share with you today."
"It all started in February 1995 at the tiny, prestigious Gate Theatre in Notting Hill with a production of Strindberg's 'Creditors'. "
Here are KWPR's Top 10 Shows of the past 25 years:
1. SIX (2018)
Fom the Edinburgh Fringe to West End smash hit, 5 Olivier Award nominations, TV performance to over 10 million on the "Britain's Got Talent' finals, Australian premiere at Sydney Opera House this month and KWPR's first ever Broadway transfer in February 2020, SIX Is the mega-hit every Musical Theatre writer and producer dreams about.
2. Corpus Christi (1999)
The show that first put KWPR on the PR map... we achieved massive pre-publicity then sold out houses and religious demonstrations in Edinburgh and a Fatwa on author Terence McNally on its London transfer... and it came a whisker away from being our first ever West End transfer. A triumph of PR and amazing work by director/producer Stephen Henry. A decade later the Guardian crowned 72pt Daily Record page lead "Gay Jesus Brought Tears to My Eyes says pot-smoking Bishop" as the best ever Edinburgh Fringe headline.
3. Titanic (2013)
From tiny Southwark Playhouse all the way to the 2,000-seat The Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, this was a dream project. KWPR even secured a full page from Michael Reidel in the New York Post that had Broadway producers flying over to the 200-seat Southwark to check the show out for a possible Broadway transfer. The first of 3 shows in the Top 10 from the dream team of producer Danielle Tarento and director Tom Southerland.
4. Grey Gardens (2016)
Starring Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell, this UK premiere from producer Danielle Tarento and director Tom Smith Southerland, sold out almost before the first preview! It really was the hottest ticket in town.
5. Parade (2011)
This was the first collaboration in the old Southwark Playhouse railway tunnels with producer Danielle Tarento and director Tom Smith Southerland. I have rarely seen audiences moved as much as with this sublime Jason Robert Brown musical about a Jewish factory manager from Brooklyn, accused of the rape and murder of a 13 year old employee in Atlanta, Georgia in 1913. It was incredible on every level.
6. MUSIK (2019)
This recent KWPR Edinburgh triumph returns to London's Leicester Square Theatre for an extended run in our anniversary month. This was a dream project working with legends The Pet Shop Boys, writer Jonathan Harvey and star Frances Barber returning to the role of Billie Trix that she created in 'Closer to Heaven' almost 20 years ago.
7. BUG (2016)
Starring James Norton and Kate Fleetwood, this was our first show at pop-up theatre space Found111 for producer Emily Dobbs. It was a perfect storm of leading man on the cusp of hearthrob status, classy leading actress, iconic venue and great PR - it was an instant sell out.
8. Green Day’s American Idiot (2012)
Our first bonafide Broadway show with the UK premiere of the acclaimed New York production. We brought journalists from across the UK and Ireland by plane and train to Southampton for the European premiere and worked with director Michael Mayer and its NY producers including 'Amadeus' star, Tom Hulce. It went on to win the Whatsonstage award for Best Regional Production.
9. Kenny Morgan (2016)
A gripping tale of destructive passions, this critically-acclaimed new drama by Tony-nominated playwright Mike Poulton was directed by Lucy Bailey. Paul Keating was mesmerising in the role of his career as actor Kenneth Morgan, the lover of playwright Terence Rattigan. It was such a hit at Arcola Theatre that it returned for a further season.
10. Thriller Live (2009)
What else to say but the high energy show that has run for over a decade in the West End - and how many one-man PR agencies get to boast that!
