A host of musical theatre stars are among the cast of over 100 performers due to make a contribution to the inspirational on hope: a digital song cycle which will be live streamed in the coming weeks.
Performers from hit shows including Bat Out of Hell, Les Misérables, Six and Wicked will make their contributions while in isolation to the event will be streamed live on The Other Palace’s YouTube channel broadcasting on consecutive Wednesdays, 29 April and 6 and 13 May at 7.30pm.
Curated by producer and director Matt Powell and writer and dramaturg and former executive director of Mercury Musical Developments Victoria Saxton, the trilogy features the work of over 60 songwriters from across the world who answered the call to submit an original song on the theme of hope as the world faces an unprecedented crisis.
Produced by MP Theatricals in collaboration with The Other Palace and Kiki Stevenson, on hope: a digital song cycle will feature a cast that includes:
Christina Bennington (Bat Out of Hell), Rebecca Caine (Les Misérables, Preludes), Joanne Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing, Rocky Horror Show), Liam Doyle (Ghost), Lauren Drew (Six, Heathers), Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked), Scott Folan (Be More Chill), Russell Grant (Strictly Come Dancing), Jessica Gomes-Ng (The King & I), Sophie Isaacs (Six, Heathers), Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton), Sasha Latoya (Little Shop of Horrors, Flashdance), Kirsty Maclaren (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour), Carolyn Maitland (The Woman in White), Chris Peluso (Show Boat, The Woman in White), Jodie Steele (Six, Heathers), Danielle Steers (Six, Bat Out Of Hell), and Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Dreamgirls)
Full casting and creatives will be announced as the programme for each part of the trilogy is released.
Stiles & Drewe Mentorship Award winner Jim Barnes (The Season) and Pippa Cleary and Jake Brunger (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ – The Musical) have joined the previously announced list of songwriters providing original music for the song cycle.
Commenting on the way the current lockdown has forced the industry to find new ways to work, Powell and Saxton said: “The constraints have actually opened up a new exciting avenue and we are honoured by the volume of responses from creatives and technical masterminds who are donating their time and working relentlessly to bring some hope in these uncertain times.”
Kiki Stevenson, The Other Palace’s artistic programme coordinator said, “The Other Palace is honoured to collaborate on a brand new piece of digital musical theatre with an exciting line-up of international writers and creatives, producing new material reflective of our current situations.”
Although the trilogy will be free to view, MP Theatricals has launched a fundraising scheme to support the creative talent involved in the project. More information can be found HERE.
The project’s curators said: “Life is hard for all at the moment and where we can, we want to give back to the artists providing their time and talent to make something beautiful. All funds raised will go towards supporting production costs and provide all artists with a donation for their contribution.”
Announcing the initiative last month, Powell and Saxton said: “Out of the darkness we currently find ourselves in, we’re inviting songwriters to join us in writing songs around the theme of hope to be digitally performed in April.
“Our hope is that this digital song-cycle will provide a sense of community, joy and collaboration for artists. With so many theatres and shows shutting a lot of freelancers now face unemployment and uncertain futures. So, we’re asking songwriters to do what they do best, write.”
Powell directs the song cycle which features a dramaturgy by Saxton and technical production is by Bartek Podkowa (Seven Hill Films), Heather Pasfield and Russell Bender. The project’s casting director is Harry Blumenau.
Angela Thomas
www.lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/on-hope-a-digital-song-cycle
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