Picture: Michael Wharley
The full cast has been unveiled for 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 (Hamilton, Victoria Palace), the production is due to make its debut at the London venue from 23 June until 29 July 2023.
As previously announced Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked) will take on the central role of Alex Shaw in the production. She will be joined by Tori Allen-Martin (Rock of Ages, UK tour, Hair, European tour), Justin Brett (The Snow Queen, Park Theatre, Million Dollar Quartet, Noel Coward Theatre), Peter Hannah (Into the Woods, Lyric Theatre/Northern Ireland Opera, Waitress, Adelphi Theatre) and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (The Lion King, UK and Ireland tour, Heathers The Musical, The Other Palace). The cast will perform together for the first time at this year’s West End Live on 17 and 18 June.
Describing the development of the musical, 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.
Commenting on the production, producer Paul Virides said: “Chris and Jon have written the most beautiful show, complemented perfectly by Ben’s stunning orchestrations. But no piece of theatre exists only on paper, and I’m thrilled at the team that have decided to jump in and join us on and off stage to give life to this 100% original, brand new British musical. Alice, Peter, Joaquin, Tori and Justin are individually and all together a fantastically talented group of people that bring so much to the table – and with Julie in the director’s chair, audiences at Southwark are in for a treat!”
Angela Thomas
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