Casting has been announced for the UK premiere of Play On!, a jazz-fuelled musical that will play the Lyric Hammersmith in London from 28 January to 22 February 2025.
The show stars Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (SIX The Musical, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical) as Viola, Kori Hedgemon (Lovin’ Vegas, Hairspray) as Lady Liv, Earl Gregory (TINA, Kinky Boots) as The Duke, Llewellyn Jamal (Get Up, Stand Up!) as Jester, Cameron Bernard Jones (Ain’t Too Proud) as Rev, Lifford Shillingford (Britain’s Got Talent, Tarantino Live) as Sweets, Tanya Edwards (Sister Act The Musical) as Miss Mary, and Gleanne Purcell-Brown (Living, Spamalot) as Ceecee.
The ensemble includes Natalia Brown (Sister Act The Musical); Freya Karlettis (Sleeping Beauty); Amber Cayasso (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe); Jarnéia Richard-Noel (SIX); Andre Coulson (Five Guys Named Moe); Alex Okoampa (TINA); Spin (Sinatra); and Dylan Blake-Colbet in his stage debut.
The show is also touring the UK from September 2024 to February 2025, produced by leading Black theatre company Talawa, including Belgrade Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Bristol Old Vic, Liverpool Playhouse, and Salisbury Playhouse.
Play On! is a joyous musical retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, set in 1940s New York jazz scene, with a score by Duke Ellington.
The show is conceived by Sheldon Epps, with a book by Cheryl L. West, and directed by Talawa’s Artistic Director Michael Buffong (A Kind of People, Royal Court; Guys and Dolls, Talawa).
The creative team also includes choreography by Kenrick Sandy, and musical supervision by Liam Godwin.
The show is produced by Talawa Theatre Company and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in partnership with J Clare Productions and Chuchu Nwagu Productions, with co-producers Birmingham Hippodrome; Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres; Lyric Hammersmith Theatre; and Wiltshire Creative, Salisbury.
Play On! is playing at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London from 28 January to 22 February 2025.
Book tickets to PLAY ON! at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre London
Play On! – 2024 and 2025 UK Tour Dates
Belgrade Theatre Coventry
23rd September – 5th October 2024
Liverpool Everyman
15th – 19th October 2024
Salisbury Playhouse
21st October – 2nd November 2024
Birmingham Hippodrome
4th – 9th November 2024
Bristol Old Vic
16th – 25th January 2025
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
28th January – 22nd February 2025
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