A BODY TO DIE(T) FOR Announces Edinburgh Fringe Cast

The cast has been announced for the World Premiere of Tim Anfilogoff and Alan Whittaker's sharp and satirical musical at C Venues at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Grace Bishop, Nicola Kill, and Rosie Watson will take on the titular role of Greta, Annie Kirkman makes her professional debut as the manipulative Fay, they will be joined by Sam Turrell as Tony, Michael Rees as Reg/Fred, Melissa Hovelle as Rita, Will Mulvey as Gregory Hampton M.P, Chelsea Corfield as Ute and Paul Brangan as Norm. The production will run 31st July - 26th August (not 13th) : 21:35 (1hr10) | C (venue 34).

A Body To Die[t] For is a darkly comic, uplifting, fantasy about our obsession with body-image. Greta is a normal teenager and would-be English Teacher from Brentwood. Running away from an abusive stepfather she begins a journey towards self-discovery through a crazy world where her body is the object of fascination to all and where fat and thin, male and female, media and politics, appetite and self-image are at war.

As Greta's weight and fortunes fluctuate she is exploited by the fashion industry, betrayed by friends and lovers, experimented on, bewitched by the Willendorf Venus, targeted by anti-body fascist terrorists and manipulated by politicians. Which of her lovers will she end up with? Will she achieve her dream of becoming an English teacher? Will obese surrealist terrorists blow up her wedding? Can Greta ever return to normal...and what is normal? Read the label...this show is NOT fat-free!

A Body To Die[t] For is directed by award winning West-End director Matthew Gould, whose recent credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Arts Theatre) starring Wendi Peters, and the UK revival of the musical The Secret Garden (King's Head, UK Tour)

With over 100 professional credits amongst this young and highly talented cast, Greta's story will be brought to life in full fat 3D every night at C-Venues.

Director: Matthew Gould - Matthew has been directing for a number of years focusing on New Writing and Musical Theatre, winning the People's Choice Award for the Preston Fringe Festival with the new play Baby Jesus Freak by Ian Winterton. He had his first foray into film direction in 2011 with a promotional DVD for a Martial Arts stage show In the Gutter Looking up at The Stars, which he also choreographed. Prior to this he adapted comedienne Janice Day's book about getting over breast cancer for her one woman show which premiered at the Epsom Playhouse in February 2012 and then directed the recording of Adolf Killed my Sweetheart for ALL FM radio. Recently he directed and choreographed the first major revival of the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the Arts Theatre, London; a new musical based on the Cuban Missile Crisis called Thirteen Days at The Grimeborn Festival at The Arcola in London; and the premiere of a musical by David Reiser called Old Goat Song. Prior to Christmas 2012 he directed the beautiful musical I Do I Do at The Riverside Studios. Matthew recently directed the UK revival of The Secret Garden (King's Head Theatre, UK Tour) and the first UK production in English of the classic comedy from Azerbaijan My Favourite Madman by Elchin Afandiyev.

Book, Composer & Lyrics : Tim Anfilogoff - Tim performed in the 80's and 90's with three-man poetry collective the Cast of Thousands. Brian Patten described Z their first publication as '...a very good collection from three fine poets whose voices deserve to be more widely heard.' Tim's 30 minute radio comedy, The Meaning of Lunch, produced by Biteback and directed by Malcolm Hebden and starring Christopher Wright and Joseph Long was broadcast on Radio 4 in 1999. A pilot for a radio comedy drama series With a Little Help from my Friends was also commissioned by Radio 4 and recorded in 2000, directed by Ashley Blaker. Tim also plays piano and composes, often contributing to Al's recording.

Composer, Music Production & Lyrics : Alan Whittaker - Alan is a guitarist and song-writer who has released 3 solo CDs and 2 more with established vocalist Sally Rivers (available on i-tunes.) His early years were spent on the road with Manchester Prog Rock Band "Moriarty" and he still occasionally plays live as "AcousticAl" Alan and Tim played together (and met) in the Scratch Band, a party covers band. A Body To Die[t] For is their first musical which was workshopped earlier this year at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden and Landor Theatre, Clapham.

Musical Director: Benjamin Holder - Ben's recent credits as a Musical Director include: Geek! A New Musical (Tristan Bates Theatre); Cinderella (Telford Oakengates Theatre); The Pirates of Penzance (Brookside Theatre, Romford); Songs for a New World (NYMT, Bridewell); and Orpheus in the Underworld (Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford). He has also recently finished the workshop of Mike Christie's (G4) new opera The Miller's Wife, and played keyboards for Steel Pier (Union) and Avenue Q (Gatehouse). He studied at Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Music, with scholarships, and leads a busy freelance career as a musical director and accompanist in musical theatre and opera. Future plans include Whistle Down The Wind (NYMT) and assistant MD on the premiere UK tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment: General Manager - Founded in 2011 by Katy Lipson, Aria Entertainment has produced the Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Union), West End performance of Children Of Eden (Prince Of Wales), West End revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Edward Reid - Living The Dream One Song At A Time (Edinburgh Fringe and Scottish tour winning the Radio Forth Award for 'Best Fringe Show'). Katy produced a revival of The Secret Garden(King's Head) which will tour the UK and a 4 week season of new musical theatre From Page To Stage (Landor Theatre.) She recently produced the World Premiere of Sleeping Arrangements by Chris Burgess based on Sophie Kinsella's novel (author of Confessions Of A Shopaholic). As well as The Road to Qatar Aria Entertainment has two new musicals in development and is working with Goldstone Live Events to present a Uk Tour of Divas Through The Decade and Musical Memories.

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