Julie Mullins to Star in A BODY TO DIE[T] FOR at Etcetera and Landor Theatres, Feb 17 & 27

A Body To Die[t] For will run 17th February | Etcetera Theatre | 3pm & 6:30pm and 27th February | Landor Theatre | 7:30p. By writers Tim Anfilogoff and Alan Whittaker, the production is directed by Matthew Gould, with musical director Benjamin Holder.

Julie Mullins who is best known for her role as the manipulative Julie Robinson in long running TV favourite Neighbours has joined the cast for the reading of Tim Anfilogoff and Alan Whittaker's comic musical A Body To Diet For.

The showcase performances will take place at The Ectetera Theatre on 17th February at 3pm and 6:30pm (Press are invited to attend as guests, but the production is not for review) and will also feature as part of the From Page to Stage season at The Landor Theatre on 27th February 7:30pm). From Page to Stage is the brain child of Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Robert McWhir Artistic Director of The Landor Theatre who want to champion and support new musical theatre writing.

A Body To Die[t] For is a darkly comic, uplifting, fantasy musical 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 life and weight 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 general managed by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and will be Directed by Matthew Gould with Musical Direction by Benjamin Holder. The confirmed cast are: Rosanna Colclough (Pierced: Landor Theatre), Harriet Cox (Once On This Island: WAC), Adam Dougal (Aladdin: Greenwich Theatre), Natalie Green (Seussical: Arts Theatre), Paul Hutton (Mack and Mabel: Southwark Playhouse), Michelle LaFortune (La Boheme: King's Head Theatre), Catherine Millsom (Stepping Out : Union Theatre), Julie Mullins (Neighbours), Leejay Townsend (Come Dancin : Theatre Royal Stratford East), Simon Turner (Blood Brothers: Phoenix Theatre)

CREATIVE BIOGRAPHIES

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 is thrilled to be directing this revival of The Secret Garden and will follow this with a new play by author Deep Singh and a new musical, A Body to Die(t) For.

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 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, occasionally contributing to Al's recording.

Composer, Music Production & Lyrics : Alan Whittaker - An accomplished guitarist and song-writer, Al is a strong live performer. He has released 3 solo CDs and 2 more with singer/vocal coach Sally Rivers. (listen at i-tunes Sally Rivers or www.alanwhittakermusic.com. Al and Tim played together occasionally in the Scratch Band, a good time covers combo. Al's early years were spent on the road with Prog Rock Band "Moriarty."

Musical Director: Benjamin Holder - Ben is a young and versatile musician based in London, UK, with varied experience in piano accompaniment, chamber music, opera, musical theatre, jazz and pop. Recently he has worked for the National Youth Music Theatre, New Chamber Opera, Opera Della Luna, Streetwise Opera, and the Manchester Consort, and in France, India and the USA

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment: General Manager - Katy has recently been recognised by the Stage One charity for new producers as one of the country's most promising young producers. Katy's diverse experience in the arts includes theatre producing, working as a musical director, accompanist, vocal coach, composer and piano/vocalist. She created Aria Entertainment in 2011 and has gone on to produce the Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Union) and the West End charity Gala performance of Children Of Eden (Prince Of Wales) starring Gareth Gates, Russell Grant and Kerry Ellis. Most recently Katy produced the West End revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood starring former Coronation Street actress Wendi Peters. She has just finished producing Edward Reid - Living The Dream One Song At A Time (Edinburgh Fringe and Scottish tour) and was proud to win the Radio Forth Award for 'Best Fringe Show'. She is currently producing the revival of the musical The Secret Garden in collaboration with Knockhardy Productions. Katy has also teamed up with the Landor Theatre to produce a 4 week season of new musical theatre writing entitled From Page To Stage. For more information: www.aria-entertainment.com

Casting : Ben Newsome - Casting credits include; The Mystery Of Edwin Drood (The Arts Theatre), Search For A Twitter Star (The Lyric Theatre), I Do! I Do! (Riverside Studios), Crazy For You The Musical (Upstairs At The Gatehouse), The Mark Of Lia (The London Theatre), Pop Factor (UK Tour), Old Goat Song (The Lion & Unicorn), The Boy Who Was Woody Allen (The Pleasance), The Route To Happiness (The Landor) & One Touch Of Venus (Ye Olde Rose & Crown)