Aria Entertainment and Metta Theatre have announced the dates for the world premiere of new feel-good British musical The Rhythmics at the Southwark Playhouse later this year.
With a book and lyrics by Metta’s artistic director P Burton-Morgan and music and lyrics by Stiles and Drewe prize-winner Ben Glasstone (Reanimator), The Rhythmics will play the South London venue from 2 December 2021 until 8 January 2022.
Commenting on the production, Burton-Morgan said: “So thrilled to finally share the world premiere of this original new British musical with live audiences. I can’t think of anything more uplifting to welcome people back into theatres than this heartwarming and hilarious tale of community and connection. A tonic for our times; Ben’s joyous score is an absolute bop.”
Burton-Morgan will direct the production which will be choreographed by Mark Smith with musical direction by Erika Gundesen, musical supervision by Ellie Vekerk, sound design by James Nicholson, costume design by Francine Huin-Wah, casting by Jane Deitch and set and lighting design by Will Reynolds. The production will also feature BSL integrated choreography from Mark Smith (artistic director of Deaf Man Dancing) and captions throughout all performances to make the show accessible to D/deaf and hard of hearing audience members.
A cast album for the show was created last year in lockdown under social distancing rules in studios across London, Brighton and Glasgow. Available on all major digital platforms, the album which includes 11 of the 19 songs from the show features Neil McDermott (EastEnders, Pretty Woman), Eleanor Kane (Fun Home, Billionaire Boy),Christopher Staines (The Great Gatsby, Abigail’s Party),Daniel York Loh (The Shadow Factory, Pahl-La), Samuel Thomas (Man of La Mancha, The Last Five Years) and Kinny Gardner (Lindsay Kemp Company/Krazy Kat Theatre Company). The music video for the track ‘Got Your Back’ is also available.
One of the UK’s leading mid-scale touring companies, Metta has previously won praise for their street dance Jungle Book and circus musical Little Mermaid. Metta has spent the last year recording and releasing five cast albums for the company’s newest original British musicals including The Rhythmics, the award-winning In the Willows, and the climate crisis musical, Housefire.
Angela Thomas
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