Ryan Molloy, Cassie Compton, Greg Oliver and Jack Donnelly Star in the World Premiere of 27

Ryan Molloy, Cassie Compton, Greg Oliver and Jack Donnelly star in the world premiere of rock musical "27"

Directed by Arlene Phillips

music, book and lyrics and co-directed by Sam Cassidy

Ryan Molloy, Cassie Compton, Greg Oliver and Jack Donnelly are to star in the world premiere of the new British rock musical "27".

Directed by world renowned director/choreographer Arlene Phillips,"27" is an intoxicating modern fable of our time, a dark interpretation of one of humanity's oldest stories. It has music, book and lyrics and is co-directed by Sam Cassidy.

"27" will run from Thursday 8 September to Saturday October 22 in a 6-week season at London's 170-seat Cockpit Theatre.

Press night is Monday 12 September at 7.30pm.

Ryan Molloy holds the record as the longest-running star of a West End musical as Frankie Vallie in "Jersey Boys" for six years. He also played the role on Broadway. He was Horace in the musical Fings Ain't Wot They Used to Be at Theatre Royal Stratford East, played Tremont 'Chick With A Dick' in Jerry Springer the Opera, Steve Strange in Taboo, Judas in Godspell, and Ozzie in On the Town (at the ENO).

Cassie Compton was Jean in the world premiere of American Psycho at the Almeida; Nessarose in Wicked and Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing, both in the West End.

Greg Oliver played Moritz in the musical Spring Awakening, Wolf in After the Turn and Kyle in the world premiere of The Prodigals. As a singer he records as Revilo and he's also in two other bands, HENRIETTA and Beauty School Dropout.

Jack Donnelly is best known for starring as Jason in Atlantis on BBC1. He was also in Misfits and two series of Threesome. On stage he was in Accomplice at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Other cast features Lucy Martin (Jersey Boys, West End); Ryan Gibb (The Committments, West End, Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour); Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages, West End, Nancy, Oliver!, Grange Park Opera); Maisie Bawden (The Sound of Music Live, ITV1, The Tempest, Shakespeare's Globe); Eloise Davies (Bad Girls the Musical, Union); Collette Guitart, Emily Kenwright, Sophie Ayers (We Will Rock You & Looserville, West End); Anthony Selwyn (Hairspray, UK tour); Jason Kajdi, Kristian Cunningham.

Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain, Morrison and Winehouse: all music legends whose lives were tragically cut short at 27. Orpheus is a would-be rock star turned icon whose experiences of fame and notoriety lead him on a journey of unstoppable self-
destruction. Another name for the list. At the tender age of 27. Another star, extinguished... "27", featuring 13 musical numbers and a cast of 15, is a shattering exploration of the fragility of life and the unwitting connections that bind us together. With original lyrics and score, this rock musical serves up songs to die for and killer guitar riffs and will take you somewhere you probably didn't think existed anymore.

Arlene Phillips said "I love working on projects that shout out 'we are different'. Working on the fringe of the arts which I have been doing more of in these last couple of years I find really exciting. '27' has a powerful and emotional message that evokes so many memories of not just Amy Winehouse but so many others who began with a prodigious talent that eventually destroys them. It is a musical that could connect to so many people of different ages. The musical appeals to me because it was written by a young writer, Sam Cassidy, who has the power in his music to take the audience from one moment of joy to instant tears of sorrow. Casting this show wasn't easy because we need true actors who are able to get into the depth of the roles, and like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sam writes music that is only possible for a few to sing, and of course, I want them to dance!"

Arlene Phillips (co-director)

Arlene Phillips is a showbiz legend honoured as a CBE for her services to dance; she has worked with stars from film and TV, to theatre and arenas, as well as
becoming one of Britain's favourite television judges. Her credits as director:
Saturday Night Fever, international productions of Starlight Express, US tours of Joseph and Jesus Christ Superstar, Lord of the Dance, The Songbook of Judy Garland, Brazouka, Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Manchester XVII Commonwealth Games. As choreographer: Jackie The Musical, Starlight Express, Wizard of Oz, Flashdance, The Sound of Music, Grease, We Will Rock You, Saturday Night Fever, Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, EFX at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Sam Cassidy (music, book and lyrics and co-director)

As an actor, Sam Cassidy appeared in musicals including Joseph and his Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Rocky Horror Show. He is currently starring as Prince Theo alongside Billy Zane in the major new ABC TV series, Guilt. Although "27" is Sam's first musical as a writer, he has been writing music and assisting his mother Chrissy Wickham, now a choreographer, but an original member of Hot
Gossip and the original Ashley in the musical Starlight Express, on various projects since he was 16. While attending Mountview Academy's Musical Theatre course, he was also writing music as a singer songwriter managed by 141 Management.

CREATIVE TEAM

Sound Design Harry Barker and Micheal Benjamin
Musical Supervisor Jimi Maddison
Musical Director Matt Nalton
Associate Director Victoria Gimby
Lighting & Set Designer Nick Eve
Costume Designer Lucy Alexander
Choreographers Ryan Lee Seager and Lucy Martin

Produced by Adam Pritchard, Sam Cassidy and Nick Eve
on behalf of 27 Musical London Limited

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