DEPARTURE LOUNGE Plays Waterloo East Theatre, Previews Sept 28

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 opens at London's Waterloo East Theatre on 30 September 2010, with previews from 28 September. Starring Chris Fountain and Verity Rushworth with Harry Hepple, Liam Tamne and Steven Webb and with an award-winning score by hugely talented newcomer Irvine, Departure Lounge is set to be the most exciting and entertaining British musical of the year.

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. But 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?

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.

Harry Hepple plays Pete. Harry played the role of Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at The Cambridge Arts Theatre. Other theatre includes Burnt by the Sun (National Theatre), I Caught Crabs in Walberswick (Bush Theatre/UK Tour) and Alaska (Royal Court). On television, he has appeared in Inspector George Gently and Doctors (BBC).

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.

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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