Oscar at The Crown announces London cast

Casting has been announced for the London debut of Oscar at The Crown, an immersive queer musical that fuses dystopian storytelling with nightclub energy.

The genre-defying show—part musical, part dance party—opens in May at a new underground venue beneath Tottenham Court Road. Originally created by New York-based queer theatre collective The Neon Coven, Oscar at the Crown earned a devoted following during its initial run in Brooklyn, and was later seen at the Edinburgh Fringe. The New York Times described the experience as “a party-inducing Rocky Horror transplanted to a 1990s Madonna video”.

The London production will include new songs and post-show parties. The musical is written by and stars Mark Mauriello, who returns in the title role as Oscar Wilde. He is joined by Elizabeth Chalmers, reprising her Edinburgh performance as Wilde’s wife, Constance Lloyd.

Also featured in the cast are Zak Marx as Wilde’s lover Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas and Zofia Weretka, returning from the original New York production to play Vickie. Elinor Morris takes on the role of Ramona, with Luke Farrugia as Sonja. The Exiles—denizens of the show’s dystopian future—will be played by Kelis Alleyne, Isidro Ridout, Ran Marner, Natalie Yin and Ella Daini, with Estelle Denison-French serving as the production’s on-stage swing.

The show’s London venue is a new, purpose-built subterranean space developed by Path Entertainment Group and musical theatre producers ROYO, whose current slate includes Here & Now – The Steps Musical, 13 Going on 30 The Musical and Kinky Boots starring Johannes Radeb

Direction comes from Shira Milikowsky, with music, lyrics and choreography by Andrew Barret Cox, known for his work with RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni. The creative team also includes Gary Hickenson (music production), Andrew Exeter (set and lighting design), Dan Samson (sound design), Nina Dunn (video design), and Will Burton (casting). The production is presented by ROYO and Gold Sky.