New musical From Here to premiere at Chiswick Playhouse in July

Brand new musical From Here is to hold its world premiere at the Chiswick Playhouse this summer.

The new piece written by Ben Barrow and Lucy Ireland will run from 1 to 31 July.

The cast will feature Grace Mouat (Six, Arts Theatre; & Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre; Hair, Turbine Theatre), Andrew Patrick-Walker (Bat Out of Hell, London Coliseum; Brooklyn, Greenwich Theatre; Hair, Hope Mill Theatre), Nicola Espallardo (The Pirate Queen, London Coliseum; Les Misérables, Gielgud Theatre; Working, Southwark Playhouse), and Aidan Harkins (The Pirate Queen, London Coliseum; The Importance of Being Earnest, Barn Theatre & Turbine Theatre; Closer to Heaven, Above The Stag).

Do we long more for a happy ending or for a new beginning? From Here: A New British Musical explores how reaching for the end of one chapter, or the beginning of the next, may not always
provide us with the results we expect. From struggling to find friends in a school playground, to first dates, to learning to live again after finding yourself alone, these often musically-interwoven stories tell of characters trying to decide whether to run headfirst into trying again or whether to stay put and hold fast.

From new writers Ben Barrow and Lucy Ireland, this contemporary song-cycle is a poetically conversational guide. From Here offers the perfect opportunity for audiences to reflect on where they are and where they’re going. And as we navigate out of a pandemic, it offers a chance to appreciate the middle of a moment too.

The production is produced by Dominic Gray for Red Piano Productions in association with the Chiswick Playhouse and is directed by Annabelle Hollingdale with musical direction by Ian Oakley, set and costume Design by Jessica Staton and sound design by Tony Gayle.

Lucy Ireland said: “The characters and the themes in the show all look at different situations and how the characters deal with them personally. We go on a journey with each individual and see how they process their situation and decide to act upon it. This show is timely and relevant to our current situation, but will be timeless in the years to come and therefore suitable for all.”

The new musical forms part of the venue’s new 2021 summer season.

It will be followed by a revival of Marie Jones’ play A Night in November, running 4 to 28 August.

Directed by Matthew McIlhinney and starring Matthew Forsythe, the funny, passionate and heartbreaking show sees the actor flex their acting skills, seamlessly shifting through dozens of characters in the story.

For more information and tickets, visit www.chiswickplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on

Chiswick Playhouse’s executive director Mark Perry said: “We are delighted to present our summer season, featuring From Here and A Night in November. We are working in association with two exciting, ambitious producers that are bringing exactly the type of up-and-coming creatives that we’re committed to backing.

“As soon as we first heard the fresh, funny music and lyrics of From Here we knew we wanted to bring it to Chiswick. And the fascinating, insightful perspective of Northern Ireland that’s revealed in A Night in November grows ever more prescient.

“Written in 1994 it feels just as relevant now as it did then. We are so looking forward to opening our doors again and welcoming back our audiences to what will be just the sort of live entertainment we’ve been missing for far, far too long.”