DEPARTURE LOUNGE Begins Previews Sept 28 at Waterloo East Theatre, London

Following sell out seasons at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine's hit musical comedy Departure Lounge comes to London for the first time, opening at London's newest off-West end venue; Waterloo East Theatre. Opening on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September, the show is set to be the standout new British musical of the year. With an all star cast featuring Chris Fountain and Verity Rushworth, accompanied by Jack Shalloo, Liam Tamne and Steven Webb, the show has an award-winning score by hugely talented newcomer Irvine.

Delayed at Malaga Airport after a week in the sun celebrating their graduation from school, four less than innocent 18-year-olds caught between adolescence and adulthood, reminisce about their trip. However their individual memories of the holiday appear to be at odds, particularly when it comes to romance and the girl on all their minds... Is she as innocent as they believe and will the boys' friendships hold firm as they all face a coming of age? Shot through with razor sharp humour and infectious, toe tapping songs the show has been a crowd pleaser with audiences wherever it has played.

Chris Fountain plays JB. Chris is best known for the award-winning role of 'Justin Burton' in Channel 4's Hollyoaks and for his success in the popular ITV show Dancing On Ice. He recently finished filming BBC One's critically acclaimed drama series Five Days. His other television credits include Bob & Rose, Where The Heart Is, Burn It, A&E and The Royal. On stage he recently starred as 'Aladdin' at the Manchester Opera House and has previously appeared in Les Misérables and Sam Mendes' production of Oliver.

Verity Rushworth plays Sophie. Verity recently made her West End debut in the hit musical Hairspray. She also played the role of Donna Windsor in ITV1's Emmerdale for 10 years before leaving the show earlier this year. Verity has made many guest appearances on television shows including Celebrity Weakest Link, Celebrity Stars In Your Eyes, Celebrity Family Fortunes and Soapstar Superstar.

Jack Shalloo plays Pete. Jack recently finished playing Hamlet in the sell out run of Hamlet the Musical at the Pleasance, Edinburgh. Other theatre credits include Our House (Birmingham Rep & UK Tour), Kick Off (Riverside Studios), Whistle Down The Wind (Aldwych Theatre) and Oliver (London Palladium). Television includes Miranda Harts New Years Eve sketch show, Out of Control and Holby City.

Liam Tamne plays Jordan. Liam appeared in Hair and Hairspray in the West End.

Steven Webb plays Ross. Steven has appeared in the award-winning Channel 4 series The Inbetweeners as well as The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Bad Girls and Wives and Daughters. On stage he starred as 'Oliver' in Sam Mendes' production of Oliver and has appeared in Nicholas Hynter's The History Boys, Public Property, and The Trestle At Pope Lick Creek for which he received a nomination for Most Outstanding Newcomer at the 2003 Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Departure Lounge is writer Dougal Irvine's first musical. It was nominated for all five MTM:UK awards at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and won the award for Best Music. He is the lyricist on the musical Britain's Got Bhangra which has just completed a UK tour.
An Original Cast recording of Departure Lounge will be released on CD by Speckulation Entertainment on Monday 4 October, featuring the same cast.

It is available to pre-order from Amazon www.amazon.co.uk and Dress Circle www.dresscircle.co.uk and the cast will be signing copies at a special event to be held at Dress Circle on Saturday 9th October 2010 at 12.30pm-1.30pm

Departure Lounge is produced by Andy Barnes, Joseph Smith and Hilary A. Williams in association with Theatre Royal Stratford East and Olive Theatre.

Director: Pip Minnithorpe
Musical Director: Chris Maloney
Choreographer: Cressida Carre
Set & Lighting Design: Will Reynolds
Costume Design: Georgia Lowe
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Casting Director: Pippa Ailion

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