Theatre-lovers will be offered a glimpse behind the scenes of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s upcoming revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Carousel as part of a special episode of the pay-to-stream musical theatre flavoured web series, The Theatre Channel.
Created by The Theatre Channel in partnership with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Episode 7: Rodgers & Hammerstein will include rehearsal footage from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s summer production featuring Natasha May Thomas (Louise Bigelow) and choreographer Drew McOnie.
Aimed at highlighting how live theatre and streamed content can co-exist as theatres start to welcome back audiences following lockdown, the episode will also feature performances of classic Rodgers and Hammerstein songs by double Olivier Award-nominee Michael Xavier (Sunset Boulevard, West End and Broadway, Into The Woods, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and triple Olivier Award-nominee Josefina Gabrielle (Oklahoma! West End and Broadway, Hello Dolly!, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Helen Hayes Award-winner Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins, UK tour, 9 to 5, Savoy Theatre).
Featured performers also include: Daniel Koek – one of the youngest men to play Jean Valjean in the West End production of Les Misérables, Amara Okereke (winner of Best Actress in a Musical award at the Stage Debut Awards 2018 for performance as Cosette in Les Misérables) and recent ArtsEd graduates Ethlinn Rose and Tavio Wright.
The cast will be joined by resident ensemble The New Café Five – Anthony Starr (Guys and Dolls, Sheffield Crucible), Danny Becker (The Prince Of Egypt, Dominion Theatre), Kayleigh Thadani (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre), M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac (Billy Elliot, Victoria Palace) and Vicki Lee Taylor (A Chorus Line, London Palladium).
Commenting on Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s involvement in the episode, the prestigious venue’s artistic director and the director of Carousel, Timothy Sheader said: “As Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre prepares to open for our 89th season, we are looking forward to welcoming our audiences back. Moreover, we applaud all of the digital theatre content that has been created over the past 18 months and recognise, that going forward, digital platforms will be synonymous with the outreach of live theatre.
“We are delighted to partner with The Theatre Channel in their exploration of Rodgers and Hammerstein and are excited to share an insight into our upcoming revival of Carousel.”
On behalf of The Theatre Channel producer Adam Blanshay added: “Episode 7: Rodgers and Hammerstein is our first of several writer-themed episodes to come. We’re excited to explore this cherished songbook that paved the way for generations of musicals, which includes some old favourites and hidden gems.
“Moreover, as theatres start to reopen in the UK, The Theatre Channel is delighted to partner with one of my most favourite theatres, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Nothing can compare to a glorious summer evening at the Open Air, and in addition to this beautiful music, we’re thrilled to give our viewers a behind the scenes insight into their upcoming summer production of Carousel.”
Available to view via Stream.Theatre for a week from 18 June, the seventh episode in the series is directed by Thom Southerland with choreography by Ashley Nottingham, lighting design by Aaron J Dootson, musical supervision by Michael England, production design by James Turner, videography by Piers Foley and sound design by Keegan Curran.
Previous episodes (1-6) of The Theatre Channel are available to purchase at Stream.Theatre.
Angela Thomas
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