John Addison and Arvid Larsen to Lead The Heather Brothers' HOLY CRAP at King's Head Theatre

King's Head Theatre has announced the cast of Holy Crap, headed up by West End performers John Addison and Arvid Larsen.

John has played Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, Marius in Les Miserables - both in the West End and the anniversary shows at the O2 and Royal Albert Hall respectively. Arvid gave his Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar in a No 1 UK Tour for Really Useful Group and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in two UK tours for Bill Kenwright.

The Heather Brothers, writers of the hugely popular A Slice of Saturday Night, return with a brand new musical comedy brimming with sin, salvation and sacrilege. Bringing together the creative team from cult hits Shock Treatment and The Toxic Avenger, the premiere marks Benji Sperring's first production at the King's Head following his appointment as Associate Director and the triumph of Shock Treatment.

Holy Crap follows the launch of Britain's first pay-to-view religious channel as American evangelist preacher, Reverend Bobby Del La Ray persuades legendary British rock star and devout Christian, Rex Bedderman, to co-host the channel. But with the charismatic leader up to his neck in debt, being forced to launder money for the Mafia and risking his own mother's life if the viewing figures don't increase, he does what any sane, normal person would do: he starts broadcasting hardcore porn. After all, how do you save someone from sin if they don't know what it looks like?

The Heather Brothers said "In a world where 'spin' is all and style reigns supreme over substance, there has never been a more apt time for Holy Crap, with its irreverent and satirical take on the hypocrisy surrounding the pursuit of money and power. With its long list of West End transfers the Kings Head has always punched way above its weight and we're delighted that our new show will be starting life at the home of both our previous West End musicals.

The Heather Brothers first came to prominence with their award winning 60's musical A Slice Of Saturday Night which ran at the Kings Head before making its way into the West End and Broadway. A Slice Of Saturday Night has had well over 400 productions world-wide and has been translated into 9 languages. Other theatrical credits include Lust (Theatre Royal Haymarket and at the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia where it was nominated for the Barrymore Award before transferring to Broadway). Other musicals include Big Sin City (national tour followed by a season at The Roundhouse), The Comeback (national tour), Camp Horror which won the Off West End Award (Offies) and The Last Song and Dance Man. The thrillers, Blood Money (Derby Playhouse and Walnut Street Theatre Philadelphia) and Seriously Twisted and the comedy Oz and the Pom. The brothers also conceived and co-wrote Bobby Dallas After Party (an interactive Country & Western musical). Their film writing credits include: Seriously Twisted and the Big Finish.

Benji Sperring's credits include: How To Success in Business Without Really Trying (Wilton's Music Hall); The Toxic Avenger by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan (Southwark Playhouse and soon to transfer to the Arts); Shock Treatment, (King's Head Theatre); The Stripper by Richard O'Brien and Richard Hartley (St James Theatre); Valley of Song (Finborough Theatre); The Blind and The Intruder by Maurice Maeterlinck (Old Red Lion and transfer to the Tabard Theatre); The Bald Prima Donna (Old Red Lion); The Immortal Hour by Rutland Boughton at the Finborough Theatre. Benji's is a three-times recipient of Time Out's Critic's Choice and his productions have been nominated for Best Off West Production at the WhatsOnStage awards (Shock Treatment, 2015), eight nominations including Best Musical Production and Best Director for the OffWestEnd Awards (Toxic Avenger, 2016) and nine nominations including Best Musical and Best Director at the Broadwayworld Awards. He is the artistic director of Tarquin Productions, a company that he founded in 2012 which focuses on revivals and adaptations of forgotten works.

Nick Thompson is a London based theatre producer, general manager and programmer and has worked independently for The Lowry, ITV, The Watermill Theatre, Mischief Theatre and Theatre Royal Margate amongst others. Nick was the artistic director of the Old Red Lion Theatre for four years (2011-14), during which time he produced and general managed on the West End, regionally and at festivals. This includes The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (longest running Off West End comedy), The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Kissing Sid James (59E59) and the Olivier award winning The Play That Goes Wrong (Trafalgar Studios). Nick Thompson Productions was set up in 2016 and during this time he was produced and general managed in London, regionally and internationally. Productions include: A Little History of the World (Watermill Theatre) and Disco Pigs (UK and Ireland tour).

The King's Head Theatre is London's first and foremost pub theatre and is led by Artistic Director, Adam Spreadbury-Maher. New writing, revivals, musicals, opera, cabaret and queer work sit side by side in an unashamedly eclectic programme of work, with high profile co-productions, national touring and transfers to and from the biggest arts festivals in the world. Thanks to an in-house agreement with Equity, they're leading the way when it comes to ethical employment on the fringe whilst their resident trainee director's scheme continues to provide comprehensive, vocational training to the rising stars of tomorrow.

For more information, visit www.nickthompsonproductions.com.

IF YOU GO:

HOLY CRAP

Directed by Benji Sperring Book, music & lyrics by The Heather Brothers

CAST:

John Addison - Bobby
Arvid Larsen - Rex
Rachel Marwood - Clarissa
Nuno Queimado - Vinnie
Letitia Hector - Destiny
Emma Salvo - God/Victoria/chorus
Peter Bindloss - Luigi/Van Der Alt/chorus

At King's Head Theatre, 115 Upper St, London N1 1QN

7 June - 8 July
Previews 8th - 9th June £14
Tuesday - Saturday 8.45pm, matinees Saturday & Sunday 4pm

10th June onwards £25 (premium); £19.50 (general); £18.00 (over 60s and equity); £15.00 (Students, under 18s and unemployed | www.kingsheadtheatre.com

Running Time: TBC | Suitable for ages: 12+

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