The bio-historical musical from the writers of Urinetown will make its European premiere at the Southwark Playhouse from the 22nd July.
Casting has been announced for Benji Sperring’s (The Toxic Avenger, Night of the Living Dead – Live!) production of Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann’s musical, which will make its London debut next month.
The cast is set to be led by West End favourite Christopher Howell (42nd Street, Wicked, Hairspray) who heads up the cast as the oldest being in the universe, Jan the Eldest; with Mari McGinlay (Hairspray, Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year 2014) as Jan the Sly; Shane Convery (recently seen at Southwark Playhouse in Anyone Can Whistle) is Jan the Wise; and James Gulliford (Salad Days) plays Jan the Wretched. Meanwhile, the company is also set to feature Stephen Lewis-Johnston, Hannah Nuttall and Sarah Slimani who will make their professional debuts in the production, joined by Marisa Harris who also graduated recently but can currently be seen in Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] at Park Theatre.
It is the year 3,000,458,000 BC. Living deep within the murk is the world’s very first life-form. Behold, The Yeasts!
With food growing scarce and resources dwindling, The Yeasts are forced to stay true to The Strictures enshrined in law. But when one Yeast decides to break the rules and seek new possibilities, a new emotion changes all they have ever known….love.
The creative team behind the production includes: Musical Direction & Arrangements by Michael Webborn, Movement Direction by Lucie Pankhurst, Sound design by Adam Fisher, Designs by Diego Pitarch, Lighting design by Nic Farman, Associate Director is Shani Erez and Associate producer is Anna Oggero. The musical is produced by Jimmy Walters (he/him) for Proud Haddock, Benji Sperring (he/him) for Benji Sperring Productions and Steph Hartland.
Yeast Nation will play at the Southwark Playhouse from the 22nd July until the 27th August.