Virtual lockdown production of Songs For A New World returns via Stream.Theatre

Lambert Jackson Productions’ online lockdown production of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs For A New World will be available on stream.theatre for one week from 21 February 2021.

Featuring West End stars Rachel John (Hamilton), Ramin Karimloo (Phantom of the Opera), Cedric Neal (Motown) and Rachel Tucker (Come From Away) and introducing recent graduate Shem Omari James, the virtual production was directed by Séimí Campbell (My Son Pinocchio, Southwark Playhouse).

Filmed during the first national lockdown on the individual artists’ smart phones, the innovative production offers a fresh look at the moving song cycle which was the first produced show written and composed by the multi-award-winning Brown (The Bridges of Madison County, Parade, 13 and The Last Five Years).

Originally produced Off-Broadway in 1995 and featuring just four performers, the show premiered in London in 2001 at the Bridewell Theatre. The London revival in 2005 at the St James Theatre featured Cynthia Erivo, Jenna Russell, Damian Humbley and Dean-John Wilson.

Songs For A New World will be streamed 21 February and then on demand until 28 February. The virtual production was just one of a number of projects presented by Lambert Jackson during lockdown aimed at entertaining home-bound audiences and offering paying work to artists.

Launched in 2018, the company which was founded by CEO Jamie Lambert and creative director Eliza Jackson also presented virtual productions of the musicals The Last Five Years, First Date, [title of show] and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change along with the Leave A Light On series of intimate piano concerts streamed live which has featured a total of 72 artists.

Songs For A New World also became the first musical to return to the West End following the easing of the first lockdown with performances at the London Palladium. John, Neal, Tucker and James reprised their performances on stage with David Hunter completing the line-up in October 2020. The production’s scheduled season at the Vaudeville Theatre in February 2021 has been postponed.

Angela Thomas