A new British musical has been announced for the Kiln Theatre’s winter season.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is written by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan (Catastrophe Bay), and will play the Kiln Theatre from 9 November to 23 December 2023.
Previously titled The Season, the musical won a The Stage Debut Award for Best Composer/Lyricist award in 2020, and has previously played at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton and The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.
In the show, Dougal is a naive, impossibly upbeat Brit, flying to New York for his Dad’s second wedding. The Dad he’s never known. Waiting for him at the airport is Robin, the sister of the bride. She’s a native New Yorker, she’s late for work, and she doesn’t have time to stop and see the sights.
Instant attraction? Definitely not. But with an extravagant wedding approaching and the city at their feet – anything could happen.
The show will be directed and choreographed by Tim Jackson, who will return to New York this summer to choreograph Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway, with Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez.
The wider creative team includes Designer Soutra Gilmour, Lighting Designer Jack Knowles, Sound Designer Tony Gayle, Musical Director Sean Green, and Orchestrated by Lux Pyramid, with Casting Director Julia Horan CDG, Associate Director Claira Vaughan, and Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director Jessica Mensah.
Jim Barne and Kit Buchan said in a statement: “We feel so lucky to be given the chance to rework the show and experience it in a new space, in front of a new audience. We’ve loved getting to know the team at the Kiln and can’t wait to see Two Strangers playing under their roof.”
Artistic Director of Kiln Theatre, Indhu Rubasingham, said: “There’s something incredibly special about a musical on the Kiln stage – the wonderful intimacy of the space provides a perfect place in which audiences can very much be a part of the production. And this one, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), is a glorious one – a new British musical from the striking duo Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, directed by Tim Jackson, and designed by Soutra Gilmour. Witty and original, I have no doubt this will be an engaging and exhilarating evening.”
It was announced last week that Rubasingham would be leaving the Kiln next year after 10 years in the post.
Currently playing at the Kiln Theatre is drama Es & Flo, until 24 June 2023; and next up is drag king show Modest from 29 June to 15 July 2023.
In September, the Kiln will present the UK premiere of Lynn Nottage’s drama Mlima’s Tale, from 14 September to 21 October 2023.
Book tickets to Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at the Kiln Theatre in London
