Casting Announced for the World Premiere of Rikki Beadle-Blair's SUMMER IN LONDON

Theatre Royal Stratford East today announces casting for the world première of Summer in London, a new romcom about four young homeless men living in Stratford during a summer heatwave, with an all-transgender cast. Rikki Beadle-Blair directs Tigger Blaize (Mosey), Mzz Kimberly (Joan), Tyler Luke Cunningham (Hamza), Emma Frankland (Justine), Victoria Gigante (Summer), Ash Palmisciano (Jack) and Kamari Romeo (Ryoko). The production opens at Theatre Royal Stratford East on 13 July, with previews from 8 July, and runs until 29 July.

Could you find love in London on zero budget?

Join four cheeky lads as they compete to win the heart of a beautiful woman called Summer on four free dates across London. Though secretly homeless - and broke - they use every trick in the book to find cost-free ways to impress her.

We follow the streetwise romeos on boat rides, to museums, parks and firework displays as they try to win their date. As the sun sets and the drinks flow things get complicated, and we discover nothing is as it first appears.

This hilarious new romcom play - think The Inbetweeners mixed with a modern Midsummer Night's Dream - is about friendship, finding love and being yourself. Summer in London is written and directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair with an all trans cast and an original new soundtrack.

Rikki Beadle-Blair is a writer, director, composer, choreographer, designer, producer and performer. He has won several awards including the Sony Award, the Los Angeles Outfest Screenwriting and was ranked forth on the Rainbow list of the UK's hundred most influential LGBT+ people. Beadle-Blair works extensively in theatre and has written 28 plays in the last decade that have been performed at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Bush Theatre, Soho Theatre, Tristan Bates Theatre and Contact Theatre in Manchester. For television and film his credits include Blackbird starring Oscar-winning actress Mo'nique, Stonewall, Metrosexuality, Noah's Arc and FIT, KickOff and Bashment for his company Team Angelica. He is also one of the creative directors of the Visionary Youth Project for Young European Film Activists.

Tigger Blaize (s/he) returns to Theatre Royal Stratford East to play Mosey - previous work for the company includes Super Skinny Bitches. Theatre credits include Intertwined (Bush Theatre), The Elves and The Shoemakers (Theatre Hullabaloo), Spots Birthday Party (Oxford Playhouse, UK tour), Rabbit & Hedgehog (York Theatre Royal), The Twits (Belgrade Theatre Coventry, UK tour). TV credits include Apple Tree Yard, and forthcoming Hard Sun.

Mzz Kimberly (she/her) plays Joan. Theatre credits include The Maids (Russian tour), The Las Vegas Story, In the Flesh (world tour), The Vampires of Sodom (New York) and Trans Scripts (UK tour). TV credits include Wave Lengths and Cold Feet. Film credits include Killer Tongue and Preaching to the Perverted. Mzz Kimberly is also one of the leads in new web series Spectrum London.

Tyler Luke Cunningham (he/him) plays Hamza. This production marks his stage debut. TV credits include Boy Meets Girl.

Emma Frankland (she/her) plays Justine. An award-winning theatre maker and performer (two-time Fringe First award winner and Total Theatre Award nominee), her work includes None of Us is Yet a Robot, Rituals for Change and Don Quijote (British Council Showcase at Edinburgh Fringe, UK & international tour). She is also an Associate Artist with Coney and Chisenhale Dance Space.

Victoria Gigante (she/her) plays Summer. Theatre credits include Rise (Waterloo Green) and My Dad's Gap Year (Bush Theatre).

Ash Palmisciano (he/him) plays Jack. Theatre credits include King Lear (RSC). TV credits include Boy meets Girl and Mum.

Kamari Romeo (he/him) plays Ryoko. Theatre credits include The Bear/The Proposal (Young Vic), Elemental (Bush Theatre), Sequin Deep (Theatre N16), The Jungle Book (Emporium Brighton) and Alice in Wonderland (The Minack Theatre).

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