Lucie Jones, Lauren Samuels, and More Lead Cast of GIRLFRIENDS Concert

London Musical Theatre Orchestra is proud to announce the initial casting announcement for the concert performance of Girlfriends, composed by Emmy Award-winner Howard Goodall at Bishopsgate Institute, where LMTO are Orchestra-in-Residence.

Girlfriends, by multi-award-winning Howard Goodall CBE (Bend It Like Beckham, The Hired Man) features an all-star cast, led by Lucie Jones as Lou (Legally Blonde, UK Eurovision Entrant 2017, Les Misérables) and Lauren Samuels as Amy (Bend It Like Beckham, Romantics Anonymous, We Will Rock You). They are joined by Natasha Barnes as Sally (Funny Girl / Mack & Mabel), Bronté Barbé as Jane (Beautiful / Shrek UK Tour), Vikki Stone as Jasmine (Concerto For Comedian and Orchestra / Lyric Hammersmith's Aladdin and Jack & The Beanstalk) and Rob Houchen as Guy (Candide / Les Miserables). The ensemble includes Lisa Bridge,Charlotte Clitherow, and Tara Divina. Further casting is to be announced.

The concert will be directed by Bronagh Lagan, will feature new orchestrations by Simon Nathan and the composer, and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra will be conducted by Freddie Tapner and led by Debs White. The concert will also be recorded for release as a live cast album. The album will be the first publicly available recording of the show, as well as LMTO's debut album.

Girlfriends was composed by Howard Goodall, who said: "My musical Girlfriends first came to the West End 30 years ago, it's been seen multiple times across the UK, in Dutch in The Netherlands and at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in the meantime, and now it returns to London, which is a wonderful moment for me as its composer-lyricist. We have a cast to die for, a full orchestra with magnificent new orchestrations by Simon Nathan and the gorgeous, historic surroundings of the Bishopsgate Institute to perform it in. We are also, for the first time, making a recording of it. I am beyond thrilled about all this and can't wait to see maestro Freddie Tapner raise his baton for the first bar."

Bishopsgate Institute Artistic Director, Francesca Canty, said: "The themes and era of Girlfriends resonate loudly with materials we hold in our archives, so it is the perfect show for our first co-production with LMTO, our Orchestra in Residence since 2017. To work directly with Howard on the first ever live concert recording of his wonderful piece is a huge privilege."

Girlfriends follows recruits of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) on an RAF Bomber Command base during the Second World War. This emotionally compelling musical explores the bravery, camaraderie, solidarity and humour between the women in the WAAF while they pack parachutes, make shells, fall in love and live through the horrors of the War. With sweeping melodies and epic all-female choruses, set to brand new orchestrations by Simon Nathan and the composer, Girlfriends is the British musical at its best and will be performed in the beautiful surroundings of the Great Hall at Bishopsgate Institute.

Girlfriends is a London Musical Theatre Orchestra co-production with Bishopsgate Institute.

For tickets and more information please visit: www.bishopsgate.org.uk/Girlfriends

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