White And Earnshaw To Star In PAYBACK: THE MUSICAL From June

Fresh and funny, Payback The Musical, with a sharp, original script and catchy score, recaptures the excitement of the very best traditional musicals. A new performance for the stage amongst revivals, this 2016 tale of love stretches from Brazil to England. Featuring a blend of jazz, Latin and traditional ballads, it's a wry, contemporary look at today's celebrity and story hungry media culture.

It runs at Riverside Studios from June 12 to 30.

A young orphaned couple from Rio's favelas, who are struggling financially with their internet cafe, enter Payback, a paternity TV show in England. The government has privatised paternity claims and Payback aims to track down errant fathers and pay the injured party compensation. But the reality TV show is not quite reality, and the young couple are in danger of being nothing more than a solution to diving ratings, a soft target for the cynical and manipulative host, Matt Matthews, and a distraction to the government's inability to deal with paternity claims.

Director Simon Greiff said: "Over the last four years I have been at the forefront in helping to develop new writing, working closely with the UK writers & composers of new musicals. Payback is a rare thing - an original British musical. Paul Rayfield has created a wonderfully satirical story, with great songs, that will make you question the state of celebrityville & how 15 minutes of fame comes at a cost."

Simon Greiff has been a leading light in developing new British musicals for the stage. He previously worked with Perfect Pitch (a company devoted to the development of new musicals) and as an Associate for Mercury Musical Developments (the only writer-based organisation devoted to the development of new work). He more recently represented the UK directing Stand Tall (2011) both here in London at the Landor Theatre and at 45th Street Theatre New York (2012) as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Other directing work include Premieres of A Song Cycle for Soho (2012, Soho Theatre), The Pork Crunch (2011, Pleasance Theatre),Striking 12 (2010, Waterloo East Theatre). Simon is also known for championing new writers through London Concerts and Records as part of SimG Productions / SimG Records. (www.SimGProductions.com).

Musical Director Nick Larkin trained at the Guildford School of Acting. Upon graduating he played Schlomo in the National Tour of Fame (2009) and appeared as Comberferre and Brujon in Les Miserables in Concert, before having a slight change of direction and moving to 'the other side of the fence'. Musical directing credits include;Talk of The Town (2007), Daydream Believer (World Premiere) (2008), Billy (2009), Fiddler on The Roof (2010),Little Shop of Horrors (2011), 'i' (2012), This Too Shall Pass (2012) and Cabaret (2012).

The cast includes Sarah Earnshaw who comes to Payback the Musical from Spamalot and Wicked (Apollo Theatre) and will star as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Aberysywth) later this year. Katie Bernstein has just completed the UK concert tour of Rent and Alan Vicary's credits include Me and My Girl (Adelphi), Les Miserables (Palace) and Phantom of the Opera (national tour). The company includes Adam Murray, currently the associate choreographer on Wicked.

Matthew White's acting credits include Ragtime (Piccadilly - 2004 Olivier nomination - Best Supporting Actor),Chicago (Adelphi), Phantom of the Opera (2009, Her Majesty's), Kiss of the Spiderwoman (1993, Shaftesbury),Les Miserables (Palace) and Cinderella (2007, Old Vic). Television and film includes: Law and Order UK (ITV),Doctor Who (BBC), Judge John Deed (BBC).

His directing credits include Top Hat (Aldwych - three 2013 Olivier awards, including Best New Musical), Sweet Charity (2009, Menier Chocolate Factory/Theatre Royal, Haymarket), Little Shop of Horrors (2006, Menier Chocolate Factory/Duke of York's), The Last Five Years (2006, Menier Chocolate Factory), Maria Friedman - By Special Arrangement (1994, Donmar Warehouse) and Closer Than Ever (Jermyn Street).

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