Picture: Alex Syles
Divina De Campo will take centre stage in a major new production of the Tony Award-winning Hedwig and the Angry Inch as part of the Leeds Playhouse’s spring/summer 2022 season.
The star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK who made her musical theatre debut as Mary Sunshine in the current UK touring production of Chicago, will take on the title role in the production which will be directed by Jamie Fletcher.
Commenting on the production, Fletcher said: “I’m really excited to be bringing to life this iconic rock musical with other queer, trans and non-binary creatives. I can’t wait for audiences to see a powerful genderqueer character leading the show with humour and ferocity accompanied by an awesome live band. I am thrilled to be teaming up with Divina De Campo – we have a long history of working together and I know Hedwig is the perfect role for her.
“It’s exciting to be able to tell this story now; it’s a very timely story for anyone who’s ever felt different, for anyone who has felt they’ve had to hide a part of themselves or felt they’ve had to look or behave in a certain way in order to be accepted.”
A co-production with HOME, Hedwig and the Angry Inch will take over the Courtyard Theatre from 2-23 April 2022.
The season will also include a revival of the hit production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s evocative A Little Night Music directed by the Playhouse’s artistic director James Brining. The second major co-production from Opera North and Leeds Playhouse, the production which had been due to open in 2020 played the Quarry Theatre in the summer.
The production which features members of the Opera North Orchestra and Chorus and long-time Opera North favourite Josephine Barstow will return to Leeds from 1-16 July 2022.
Another delayed 2020 production, Tess Seddon’s autobiographical comedy SAY YES TO TESS will make its debut in 2022. Developed through Leeds Playhouse’s Artist Development programme, Furnace, the new musical inspired by Leeds artist Seddon’s own experiences when standing in the 2017 election as a candidate for the Yorkshire Party features songs by former Playhouse composer in residence, Harry Blake.
SAY YES TO TESS will play the Bramall Rock Void, Leeds Playhouse’s new studio theatre, from 24 March until 2 April 2022.
Announcing the new season, artistic director Brining said: “This season is a thrilling culmination of all the work we do, both on stage and off. We have worked hard to present a season that reflects, inspires and entertains the communities we serve.
“We take great pride in producing and presenting a diverse range of shows across a variety of scales in our brilliant theatre spaces as well as out in the community. This deeply rooted ethos is part of what makes us who we are – and is a key element of our new season.
“From small-scale pieces that share emotive stories to large-scale spectacles that deliver excitement and entertainment for all the family in a safe and welcoming environment, we remain passionately committed to providing an inclusive and accessible spectrum of inspirational, challenging, captivating and engaging shows throughout our spring/summer 2022 season.”
Angela Thomas
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