Play On!

A spectacular jazz musical based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”.

What does it take for a woman to make it in a man’s world?

Meet Vy, a talented songwriter looking to make it big in the 1940’s Harlem scene. She quickly learns from her uncle Jester that women will never be taken seriously in a man’s world. But, like many a strong hero, she refuses to accept defeat. Through her gender fluid cunning, she meets club owner The Duke and sensational nightclub singer Lady Liv and is swept up in a syncopated symphony of melodies, mistaken identities and romance. Who will come out on top? 

Play On!, the jazz-fuelled, Twelfth Night-inspired musical will tour the UK from September 2024 – February 2025, including a winter run at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. From Talawa, the UK’s outstanding Black theatre company, this joyous, musical retelling of Shakespeare’s beloved play brings to life the 1940s New York jazz scene, set to a timeless, toe-tapping Duke Ellington score.

Previously announced are director Michael Buffong; choreographer Kenrick H2O Sandy and musical supervisor Liam Godwin. Joining them are associate director Rachael Nanyonjo; musical director Ashton Moore and associate musical director Luke Bacchus; associate choreographer Nicey Belgrave; Ivor Novello Award nominated orchestrator and arranger Benjamin Kwasi Burrell; Olivier Award-winning set and costume designer Ultz with associate costumer designer Maybelle Laye; lighting designer Johanna Town; Olivier Award-winning sound designer Tony Gayle and voice coach Joel Trill.

The cast comprises Tsemaye Bob-Egbe as Viola, who sets forth to make a name for herself in the New York jazz scene. Lady Liv is played by Koko Alexandra, the star singer at The Cotton Club. The club’s world-famous song writer The Duke is played by Earl Gregory. Making up the cast are Llewellyn Jamal as Jester; Cameron Bernard Jones as Rev; Lifford Shillingford as Sweets; Tanya Edwards as Miss Mary and Gleanne Purcell-Brown as Ceecee. The ensemble comprises Natalia Brown; Freya Karlettis; Amber Cayasso; Jarnéia Richard-Noel; Andre Coulson; Alex Okoampa and Dylan Blake-Colbet in his stage debut.

Play On! will tour to the Belgrade Theatre, Liverpool Playhouse, Salisbury Playhouse, Birmingham Hippodrome, Bristol Old Vic, and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from September 2024 – February 2025.

Listings

28th January – 22nd February 2025

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL