New Marie Antoinette musical Cake to tour the UK in 2023

New Marie Antoinette inspired musical Cake – A Parisienne Dance Gig is to tour the UK in 2023.

Originally seen as part of MTFestUK 2021, Cake is described as a “brand-new musical, come gig, come ballet” and has a book co-written by Morgan Lloyd Malcom and Tasha Taylor Johnson, songs by Tasha Taylor Johnson and Jack McManus, and direction and choreography by Drew McOnie.

A UK tour will launch from March 2023, starting at the Mayflower Studios, Southampton (13 – 25 March) before heading to The Lowry, Salford (27 March – 1 April), The Drum, Plymouth (3 – 6 April), Curve Theatre, Leicester (17 – 22 April) and Theatre Royal, Norwich (24 – 29 April).

Cake combines rap and RnB with 18th century France to retell a story that sparked a revolution. When Marie Antoinette married King Louis, her reputation was already tarnished by gossip.

But when she is implicated in a crime to defraud the crown jewellers of a diamond necklace, it is not just her reputation at stake, but the monarchy and France itself.

Cake was originally commissioned by Turbine Theatre’s Artistic Director Paul Taylor-Mills (Heathers & In the Heights) who said today: “We are thrilled to announce that, Cake – A Parisienne Dance Gig inspired by Marie Antoinette, will be going on a UK tour in Spring 2023. We’re delighted to be partnering with some of our leading regional theatres to present a development production of this brilliant new show.

“I first commissioned the show at The Other Palace five years ago and seeing it evolve over the last few years has been a real privilege. To be working with some of the best theatre makers we have; Drew McOnie, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, Tasha Taylor Johnson and Jack McManus, is a real honour. The show started life at our first MTFestUK and it’s great to see all the regional theatres involved be as passionate about its future as I am.

“Also, importantly, submissions are open for MTFestUK 2023. We want to hear from you, and see if your show can be the next one we bring to the stage.”

MTFestUK 2023 will run from 30 January – 11 February 2023 at The Turbine Theatre in Battersea. Submissions to be part of this festival are now open – email [email protected] by the closing date on Friday 29 October 2022.