Photo Flash: Full Casting Announced for New Production of FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE

Underbelly Productions have today announced full casting for a brand new production of Clarke Peters' Olivier Award-winning and Tony-Award nominated musical, Five Guys Named Moe. The production will open on 14 September 2017 in a new temporary theatre in Marble Arch, London. Check out photos of the cast below!

Edward Baruwa will play Nomax and the 'Moes' will be played by: Ian Carlyle (Four-Eyed Moe), Dex Lee (Know Moe), Idriss Kargbo (Little Moe), Timothy Martin (Big Moe) and Emile Ruddock (Eat Moe).

Underbelly have also released the first look at how the inside of the new Marble Arch Theatre will look. Specifically designed for the production will be reminiscent of 1940s New Orleans Jazz clubs, occupying the whole space. There will be cabaret table seating in the centre of the space with a drinks table service.

In addition to the theatre, there will be a connecting foyer designed in the style of a New Orleans courtyard with hanging atmospheric foliage, festoon lighting, a beautiful bespoke bar, a performance area for a jazz trio and concession stands selling popcorn, sweets, snacks and merchandise as well as a cloakroom area.

Five Guys Named Moe was first seen at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1990, it transferred to the West End and played for four years, subsequently playing on Broadway from 1992. Clarke Peters' career defining musical features the irresistible hits of trailblazing 'King of the Jukebox' Louis Jordan, including Early In The Morning, Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby, Choo Choo Ch'Boogie and Saturday Night Fish Fry. The soundtrack of soul, blues, gospel and early r 'n' b is performed on stage by a live band.

The production, which is to be directed by Peters himself, is currently booking from 29 August to 25 November 2017, with an Opening Night on 14 September.

Five Guys Named Moe will be directed by Clarke Peters (The Wire, Treme, Person of Interest, Porgy and Bess, The Ice Man Cometh) with musical staging and choreography by Andrew Wright (Half a Sixpence, Singin' in the Rain, Guys and Dolls), inspired by Charles Augins' original choreography, set and costume design by takis (Side Show, In The Heights, Hairspray, The Good Person of Sichuan), lighting design by Philip Gladwell (The James Plays, Cymbeline, Trainspotting, After Miss Julie, Hairspray), sound design by Ben Harrison (Cabaret, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Dancing in the Streets, The King & I, Starlight Express, Blood Brothers, Soul Sister) and musical supervision from Steve Hill (Fame, RENT, The House That Nat Built, Bent, Hair).

Cameron Mackintosh said: "I am really thrilled that Underbelly are producing a brand new production of Five Guys Named Moe in London later this year. It's a show that brought fun and joy to audiences in the West End for many years so it's great to see its return for its 25th Anniversary. I am particularly excited that this new production is being staged in a Spiegeltent theatre specifically tailored for Five Guys so that Underbelly's unique style will give audiences and the show a special intimate experience which will definitely make it the best party in town - a party which I'm delighted to support Underbelly in throwing."

Clarke Peters said: "It's a rare and wonderful thing to have the chance to direct a show that not only you have created but also performed in. It's a show that is very close to my heart and soul and is so much of who I am. It's an honour to return to it on its 25th Anniversary and reimagine the show in this new theatre space; one which is perfect for creating a closeness and dynamic energy between the story and the audience. Further to this it's a treat to be working with a fantastic creative team and I can't wait to transport audiences into the magical world of rhythm and blues. This rhythm will lift one and all from their blues!"

Robert Davis, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage said: "Westminster City Council is delighted to be working with Underbelly Productions to bring Five Guys Named Moe to Marble Arch in its very own, bespoke theatre.Bringing this internationally acclaimed musical to this world-renowned, iconic space is a truly mouth-watering prospect that will further increase the cultural offer available to residents, businesses and visitors throughout the City of Westminster. To quote the show itself; 'Let The Good Times Roll!'"

Edward Baruwa's (Nomax) theatre credits include: Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre); Peter Pan in Concert (Adelphi Theatre); Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios); Little Shop of Horrors (Aberystwyth Arts Centre); Sister Act (UK Tour); Smokey Joe's Café (Landor Theatre); Avenue Q, (Noel Coward Theatre & Gielgud Theatre); Les Miserables (Queens Theatre); Porgy and Bess; (Savoy Theatre), Dancing in the Streets; (Cambridge/Aldwych Theatre); Jerry Springer the Opera (Cambridge Theatre); Miss Saigon (Original UK Tour); The Rocky Horror Show (European Tour); and The Wiz (Hackney Empire). Feature Film credits include: Florence Foster Jenkins and London Road.

Ian Carlyle's (Four-Eyed Moe) recent theatre credits include: Showboat (Sheffield Crucible); Sister Act (National Theatre Dublin); Notre Dame de Paris (International Tour); Jesus Christ Superstar (UK National Arena Tour); We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre); Miss Saigon (UK Tour) and Disney's The Lion King (Lyceum).

Dex Lee (Know Moe) most recently appeared in The Wild Party (The Other Palace). His theatre credits include: Grease (Curve, Leicester); Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) (Royal Court Theatre); In The Heights (King's Cross Theatre and Southwark Playhouse) Hairspray (UK Tour); Carrie (Southwark Playhouse) and The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre).

Idriss Kargbo's (Little Moe) credits include Wicked (Apollo Victoria); Shrek The Musical (UK Tour) Scottsboro Boys (Young Vic); Disney's The Lion King; (Lyceum); Thriller Live! (Lyric Theatre) and Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Film credits include Been So Long.

Timothy Martin's (Big Moe) musical credits include: Ragtime (Bologna Opera Theatre); Sister Act (UK Tour); Candide (Florence Opera Theatre); Rent (Trainon Theatre, Naples); The Full Monty (Italian Tour); Lady Day (Italian Tour); Tony, West Side Story (Theatre Argentina) and Treemonisha (New York City Parks). Theatre includes: Moby Dick (Italian Tour); Blue/Orange (Italian Tour); Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Italian Tour); The Blacks (Italian Tour) and Driving Miss Daisy (Manzoni Theatre). Television includes: The Amanda Knox Story; Black Butterfly and Bent.

Emile Ruddock's (Eat Moe) recent theatre credits include: Crazy For You (Watermill Theatre); Kiss Me Kate (UK Tour); The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre and Young Vic Theatre); Avenue Q (Rugby Theatre); 42nd Street Gala (London Palladium and Dominion Theatre) and 42nd Street (Rugby Theatre). His film and television credits include: The X Factor 2015 (Backing Dancer); The 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and Got to Dance 2013 with 'The Pulse Collective'.

Clarke Peters has a long-established and wide-ranging career in theatre, television, radio and film. His many stage credits include: King Lear (Shakespeare in the Park), Race, Chicago, The Iceman Cometh (New York), Guys and Dolls, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Mourning Becomes Electra (National Theatre), Porgy in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre), Driving Miss Daisy, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Little Shop of Horrors, Blues in the Night and Five Guys Named Moe also written by Clarke. Films include: Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer, Notting Hill, Mona Lisa, Bad Education, Marley and Me, Freedomland, The Benefactor, Endgame, Mandela: The Prison Years and Nativity! Peters is also known for his varied television career including regular appearances in The Wire, Tremé, Jericho, The Divide, Chance and The Corner.

Andrew Wright is a double Olivier Award nominee. He choreographed Half A Sixpence for Cameron Mackintosh (Chichester Festival Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre), Singin' In The Rain (Chichester Festival Theatre, Palace Theatre, UK national tour, Japan, Asia, Russia and Australia; winner of Best Choreographer WhatsOnStage Awards 2013 and nominated for Best Choreographer Olivier Awards 2012), Guys and Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Savoy Theatre, UK national Tour; nominated for Best Choreographer Olivier Awards 2016 and Broadway World Awards 2014/16), Barnum (Theatre in the Park, Chichester, UK national Tour), 42nd Street (Chichester Festival Theatre, Curve Theatre, Leicester), The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound (Minerva Theatre), High Society (UK national tour), Wonderful Town (UK national tour), Betty Blue Eyes (UK national tour), Saturday Night Fever (UK national tour), A Little Night Music (Palace Theatre), Follies (Royal Albert Hall), the world premiere of Mrs Henderson Presents (Theatre Royal, Bath ,Noel Coward Theatre, Toronto), The Showgirl Within (Garrick Theatre) and Almost Like Being In Love (National Theatre).

The ensemble cast includes: Omari Douglas, Nathaniel Morrison and MykAl Rand.

Let the Good Times Roll!

Photo credit: Graham Michael