Photo Flash: First Look at Alan Ayckbourn's THE KARAOKE THEATRE COMPANY at SJT

Join The Karaoke Theatre Company at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, now through Friday 7 October in rep, presented by the Stephen Joseph Theatre and Alan Ayckbourn. In the cast are Rachel Caffrey, Andy Cryer, Jessie Hart, Louise Shuttleworth, Leigh Symonds, and Sarah Follon. Press night is this coming Tuesday 12 July, 7.30pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

This is your chance to sample the work of this exciting and groundbreaking group which has taken everywhere it's visited by storm - Live Theatre at its very best, with a strong emphasis on the 'live'! This inventive and versatile company presents a slick, fast-moving concoction of farce, comedy, drama and melodrama, all topped off with a dash of good old-fashioned stage magic.

In a programme note which he has kindly written for the show despite their subsequent rejection of his skills, Alan Ayckbourn describes his early meeting with the members of The Karaoke Theatre Company and his later fall from grace:

"[They] went into a huddle for a moment or two. And when they'd done they said: "Sorry, we feel we don't really need a director."

And I said: "Oh, I see. But I thought all this was partly my... "

And they said: "Yes, well, thanks but we've decided we can do without one after all."

And I said: "Ah, well you'll still need a writer, though, won't you?"

And they all said: "Nar! It's an improv show, isn't it? We make it up as we go along."

And I said rather lamely: "Yes, OK. I'll be off, then. Cheerio!"

And they said: "No, you can't go! Not yet - it's your round, isn't it?"

The members of the Karaoke Theatre Company are: Karen Drake, Anna Raleigh, Rufus Wellington, Alyssia Cook, Oliver Nelson, and Edie Hardy. Karen, Anna, Alyssia, Rufus, Oliver and Edie wish to give special thanks to Alan Ayckbourn for all his help with the idea.

Designer: Kevin Jenkins. Lighting Designer: Tigger Johnson. Casting Director: Sarah Hughes.

The Karaoke Theatre Company can be seen at the SJT, in rep, from Friday 8 July to Friday 7 October. Tickets, priced from £10 to £24.50, are available from the Box Office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com.

Photo Credit: Tony Bartholomew/Turnstone Media

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