The Secret Society of Leading Ladies: First look at Barn Theatre’s epic interactive online concert

A first look at The Barn Theatre’s upcoming epic interactive online concert has been revealed.

The Secret Society of Leading Ladies is an innovative musical theatre event that puts viewers in total control.

A teaser for the concert reads: “Conceived and directed by the Barn Theatre’s Ryan Carter, the event focuses on the archetypes of Female Musical Character, ranging from princesses and dreamers to villains and divas.

“Over the course of the concert, the viewer will be presented with 5 ‘Choose Your Player’ screens, which prompts them to decide the character they wish to introduce next. The concert has over 150 combinations for the viewer to choose from.

“Each character is introduced with a short scene, before taking to the stage to perform a number. The concert closes with a finale that features all 14 characters, providing a chance to get a glimpse at all the characters involved.”

The concert will run online from 22 February – 7 March with tickets available online here.

The cast for the production includes Jocasta Almgill (& Juliet, Rent, In The Heights, Dreamgirls), Lauren Byrne (Beautiful, Six), Kayla Carter (Rent), Aoife Clesham (Fiver), Allie Daniel (Rent), Abbi Hodgson (Six – NCL), Aisha Jawando (Tina the Musical, Motown the Musical, The Life, Beautiful) and Claudia Kariuki (Priscilla Queen of The Desert, School of Rock, Wicked).

They’re joined by Natalie Kassanga (Dear Evan Hansen, Motown The Musical), Emma Kingston (The Last 5 Years, Zorro, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, In The Heights) and Kayleigh McKnight (Bend It Like Beckham, Les Miserables, Tina the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar).

Completing the line up are Ellie Mitchell (Chicago, Wicked), Jarnéia Richard-Noel (Six) and Kelly Sweeney (Hair, Six).

The creative team for Secret Society of Leading Ladies are Ryan Carter as Creative Director & Concept Creator, Leo Munby (The Last 5 Years, Gypsy, Company) as musical consultant, sound engineering by Harry Smith, editing by Ben Evans and videography by Jamie Scott-Smith.

Tickets cost £10 to watch online the one time or £15 for unlimited access for a 24-hour period.

The show’s creator and creative director said: “Musical theatre concerts are such an awesome way to be able to curate dedicated content to specific audiences, Secret Society was born when I wanted to find a way to make that a truly custom experience. In developing this project, we’re allowing audiences to ‘choose their players’ and ultimately build their own show.

“It’s a form of digital theatre that the musical theatre sector hasn’t seen before, which is something that 10 months into the pandemic is getting harder to achieve! It’s super ‘stagey’, fun and self-aware, but aesthetically really contemporary and cool.

“The cast are an incredible representation of the next generation of leading ladies. It’s quite a mould breaking and innovative project which is exactly what I joined the Barn to deliver. I can’t wait for audiences to get their hands on it! I will personally reward anyone that completes all 162 possible combinations!”

The Secret Society of Leading Ladies, streaming online 22 February – 7 March.

Tickets available online from The Barn Theatre website here.