West End favourite Alice Fearn will star in the world premiere of heart-warming original musical Then, Now & Next at the Southwark Playhouse this summer.
A first-time collaboration between actors Christopher J Orton (Spamalot, UK tour/Playhouse Theatre) and the current West End Phantom, Jon Robyns, the production will make its debut at the London venue from 23 June until 29 July. Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked) will take on the central role of Alex Shaw in the production. Further casting will be announced at a later date.
Announcing the production, Orton whose work as a composer and lyricist includes historical Welsh musical My Land’s Shore, and Robyns who makes his debut as a writer with Then, Now & Next, said: “We started work on early drafts of this show together almost ten years ago, and eagerly revisited it in April 2020. It got us both through lockdown with no expectation of the show turning into what it is today. We came out the other side with a piece that speaks to how we all feel now about moving forward and what it means to belong.
“We are strong advocates of new, original British musicals, and are delighted to have our debut show produced at Southwark Playhouse; a proven breeding ground for new innovative writing. Alice Fearn has beautifully embodied the character of Alex Shaw through several workshops, and we’re extremely excited for audiences to see her bring this brand-new musical to the stage for the first time.”
The production’s director Julie Atherton added: “I’m beyond excited and feeling very lucky to be working with such an innovative and passionate creative team on this beautiful moving story written by my old friends and colleagues, Jon and Chris. I just can’t wait to get in that rehearsal room.”
Featuring orchestrations, arrangements and musical supervision by Ben Goddard-Young, the creative team for the production also includes musical director Honor Halford-MacLeod, movement director Alexzandra Sarmiento, set and costume designer Bob Sterrett, lighting designer Adam King, sound designer Raffaela Pancucci and production manager Titch Gosling. The show is produced and general managed by Paul Virides Productions with dramaturgy by Kate Golledge.
Angela Thomas
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