MT Fest UK reveals line up of new musicals for 2023
New musical theatre festival MT Fest UK has announced its line up of shows for 2023.
The annual festival of new musical theatre will take place from 30 January – 11 February 2023 at both The Other Palace and The Turbine Theatre.
This year eight new productions will be workshopped and presented in ‘sharing’ sessions allowing audiences to come and support, explore, engage and enjoy new musical theatre in its earliest stages of development.
The eight new shows featuring are:
Dark Lord (The Other Palace, 30 January – 1 February)
Music, Lyrics and Book by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, based on the books by Jamie Thomson.
Directed by Andy Fickman
A 12-year-old boy claims he’s a monstrous Dark Lord, banished from his magical dimension by a white wizard archenemy. Placed with foster parents, he hunts for the portal to his homeworld while combating the horrors of middle school.
Cast includes: Marianne Benedict as Hillary Purefoy, Gillian Ford as Dr Elizabeth Wing, Gabriel Hinchcliffe as Keith, Ellis Kirk as Dirk Lloyd, Alexander McMorran as Jack Purefoy, Jena Pandya as Sooz Kicklighter and Tristan Whincup as Chris Purefoy. The cast is completed by the ensemble including Robbie Alexander, Max Cadman, Maxwell Griffin, Teleri Hughes, Sophie Hutchinson, Jessica Lim and Kaine Ruddach
Sherlock Holmes and The Poisonwood (The Other Palace, 2 – 4 February)
Book, Lyrics and Directed by P Burton-Morgan
Music & Lyrics by Ben Glasstone
A whip smart new rock musical. Sherlock is shredding away on his electric guitar when Dr Watson enters with a case – they must move fast to uncover the truth before the digital manipulations of tech billionaire Jan Moriarty get them cancelled…permanently.
Cast includes: Max Alexander-Taylor as Sherlock, Ben Glasstone on backing vocals and drums, Aisha Jawando as Watson, Ishmael Kirby as Yorri and on bass guitar, Gillian Kirkpatrick as Moriarty, Richard Peralta as Lestrade and on guitar with Curtis Volp on backing vocals and guitar
Train on Fire (The Other Palace, 6 – 8 February)
Book, Music and Lyrics by Annabelle Lee Revak
Kitty Marion just wanted to sing. Instead, she became one of the most volatile suffragettes in Britain’s history. Train on Fire is a show where the feminists of today tell the story of a feminist of yesterday.
Cast includes: Chrissie Bhima as Sushama Sen (Kitty 1), Courtney Mae Briggs as Christabel Pankhurst (Kitty 5), Bob Harms as The Men, Megan Hill as Emeline Pankhurst (Kitty 4), Freddie Love as Hylda Cross (Kitty 3) and Meesha Turner as Aunt Dora (Kitty 2).
Precipice (The Other Palace, 9 -11 February)
Book by Tori Allen-Martin, Songs by Adam Geber and Tori Allen-Martin
Directed by Sarah Henley
Five friends in their 30s metaphorically falling off the edge of a precipice as they face questions around sex, sexuality, fertility and legacy. A pop infused romp through finding a way to make your mark in the world when the clock keeps ticking faster.
Cast includes: Tori Allen-Martin as Demi, Julie Atherton as Tula, Declan Bennett as Kyle, Olisa Odele as Arty and Lauryn Redding as Charly
The Government Inspector (The Turbine Theatre, 30 January – 1 February)
Book by Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst, Music and Lyrics by Catriona Gisby and Maxwell Tyler
Directed by Andrew Beckett
Taking inspiration from Nikolai Gogol’s 19th Century satirical comedy, this modern adaptation opens the famous black door of number ten Downing Street for a tale of greed, a tale of power and a whole lot of musical madness.
Cast includes: Will Callan as Jake, Vinny Coyle as Yash/Davenport, Aidan Cutler as Prime Minister, Sarah Harlington as Karen/McDougal, Tom Hext as Buggins/Micklethaithe, Liv Koplick as Lucy, Mari McGinlay as Smythe and Susannah Van Den Berg as Morley.
Come Dine With Me (The Turbine Theatre, 2 – 4 February)
Music by Aaron King, Book and Lyrics by Sam Norman
Created with Nell Butler and Genevieve Welch
Take a bunch of tuneful strangers. Mix in a dollop of behind-the-scenes skulduggery, a sprinkling of star-crossed love, a Sound Man jumping to all the wrong conclusions, and plenty of juicy arpeggios. Marinade, cook for sixty minutes, and serve hot.
Cast includes: Alex Cardall as Teddy, Kim Ismay as Barbara, Eleanor Kane as Bex, Sorelle Marsh a Mary, Shem Omari James as Ernest, Shane O’Riordan as Roy, Steven Serlin as Duncan and Micha Richardson as Janey.
Pump Up The Volume (The Turbine Theatre, 6 – 8 February)
Music by Jeff Thomson, Book and lyrics by Jeremy Desmon, Based on the screenplay by Allan Moyle
Directed by Dave Solomon
A shy teen rocks an oppressive, small town by launching an underground Pirate Radio station, broadcasting nightly as the raucous shock jock “Hard Harry.” When tragedy strikes, this unlikely hero must find his true voice and keep the air alive.
Cast includes: Simon Bailey as Lieutenant Hunter, Jaina Brock-Patel as Nora, Ben Culleton as Ricky, Sha Dessi as Tracie, Noah Harrison as Mark/Hard Harry, CJ Johnson as Principal Cresswood, Nicole Lily-Baisden as Paige, Danny Nattrass as Mazz Oisin Nolan-Power as Malcolm and Talia Palamathanan as Stacey.
Out The Box (The Turbine Theatre, 9 – 11 February)
Music and Lyrics by Preeya Kalidas and Craig Shenton
Book by Preeya Kalidas and Arun Blair Mangat
Maya finally opens the box left for her, after her mother’s death. The box unlocks memories of the past and a journey of discovery for Maya as she shares her story. An exploration of self-love, culture, relationships, and empowerment.
Cast includes: Hannah Yun Chamberlain as ensemble, Lorna Gayle as Dona, Nick Hayes as Charley, Preeya Kalidas as Maya and Serina Mathew as ensemble.
You can buy tickets for all shows from The Other Palace website here.
