Bhangra Nation
A New Musical
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“Are you ready to Bhangra?”
As the Uni Bhangra dance team wait nervously backstage to find out if they’ve made it to Nationals, the real showdown has already begun as team mates Preeti and Mary clash over what Bhangra really means to them. Whilst Preeti believes that the team needs to stick to tradition, Mary is passionate about shaking things up to belong to today.
When a huge row changes the team forever, Mary and Preeti start on journeys of discovery into what they stand for and who they want to be.
Scintillating new slick musical…The fun of this thrilling, hilarious and charming show is truly infectious. Bhangra Nation is guaranteed to lift your spirits. It’s a must-see…I could easily see this transferring to the West End Soon…I left the theatre beaming from ear-to-ear.”
Birmingham Mail
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A moving and funny new musical about friendship, family and identity, brought to life with boundless energy and joy, incredible dance moves and a truly bhangin’ soundtrack.
Fresh and funny…jubilant new musical that fuses college-campus angst with the colourful, high octane world of competitive bhangra”
The Stage
⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the producing team behind Hadestown, expect Bhangra, Bollywood and everything in between in this joyful new musical comedy which is the “wildcard tip for 2024” (Daily Mail).
A firecracker of energy and enthusiasm…Bhangra Nation bursts onto the stage with an energetic and colourful dance routine which immediately ignites the audience… lively, fun and exhilarating….An exuberant celebration of dance and music, it also celebrates the connections we share irrespective of our backgrounds and beliefs.”
WhatsOnStage
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Our audiences are saying…
An absolutely brilliant show from start to finish”
Simply energising, great live music and dance moves”
A fusion of cultures with modern sounds”
Dishoom Set Menu
Looking for a delicious meal to go with your visit? Look no further than our neighbours at Dishoom, who have crafted an amazing set menu to perfectly compliment the show!
Presented by
Birmingham Rep in association with Mara Isaacs, Tom Kirdahy and Peggy Koenig
Price
From £15
Book by
Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew
Music & Lyrics by
Sam Willmott
Directed by
Stafford Arima
Choreographed by
Rujuta Vaidya
Age Guidance
12+
Please note, no under 5s will be admitted to the auditorium.
This performance contains some strong language and mature references.
Running time
Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval
Access Performances
Audio Described: Mon 11 Mar, 7.30pm (described by Julia Grundy and Carolyn Smith)
A Free Touch Tour is available to book before the Audio Described performance.
Captioned: Tue 5 Mar, 7.30pm (captioned by Cara Lawless)
Access Pack
Special Offers
3 for 2: Add 3 shows into your basket and at checkout enjoy 33% off each production T&Cs apply – Find Out More
Teens Go Free: Receive one complimentary young persons ticket (13-19 years) when you book one standard ticket for selected productions, Mon – Thu. Discount will be applied automatically at checkout when you add both tickets to your basket. T&Cs apply – Find Out More
Fees and Charges
Please note there is a transaction fee of £2.50 on all payment types.
Production photos
In rehearsals
Cast
Zaynah Ahmed
Zaynah is very grateful for the opportunity and super excited to be working with The Rep for the first time. She would like to thank her friends, family and of course, Paling and Jenkins for their continued support.
Training: The Urdang Academy and Emil Dale Academy.
Theatre credits include: Aladdin (Hackney Empire); Swing in Mermaids & Pirates (Perform in the Park); Ensemble in Hex (National Theatre).
Workshops Include: Odyssey (National Theatre).
Film credits include: Dancer in Wonka (Warner Bros); Dancer in Disenchanted (Walt Disney Co.).
Credits Whilst Training: Drowsy Chaperone (The Urdang Academy); La Copa De La Vida (The Urdang Academy); Pilar in Legally Blonde (Emil Dale Academy); Hairspray (Emil Dale Academy).
Gregory Armand
Training: Platinum Academy of Performing Arts.
Theatre includes: Beauty and the Beast (Lichfield Garrick Theatre); Mandela (Young Vic Theatre); Dream, Believe, Succeed (Millfield Theatre); Cinderella and Her Lost Prince (Millfield Theatre).
Recordings include: Mandela (Original Cast Recording).
Other work includes: Music Video: All About Us (Allegra).
Siobhan Athwal
Theatre includes: Tania in My Beautiful Laundrette (National Theatre/Curve); Understudy Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe); Yarico in Yarico (Royal Opera House); Rachel Crabbe in One Man Two Guvnors (Everyman and Playhouse Theatre); & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre); Emily Brontë in Wasted (Southwark Playhouse); Queenie in The Bone Sparrow (York Theatre Royal); Pinky Bhambra in Bend It Like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre); Jihad in The Infidel (Stratford East); Luce in Viva Forever! (Piccadilly Theatre); Cinderella in Cinderella (Capitol Theatre); Genie in Aladdin (Capitol Theatre).
Recordings include: When I Feel Red by Lily Bailey (Audio Book, Hachette UK); Yarico (Original Recording); End of the Line (Podcast).
Film includes: Zebra Girl; Walking On Sunshine.
Television includes: Eastenders (BBC); Doctors (BBC).
Tia Antoine Charles
Training: Arts Educational Schools London.
Theatre includes: Evita (Curve); Let’s Face The Music (Royal Albert Hall); South Pacific (UK Tour); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour).
Credits whilst training: Diana Morales in A Chorus Line (Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre); Sweeney Todd (Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre).
Television includes: Olivier Awards 2023 (Royal Albert Hall).
Lydia Danistan
Training: BA (Hons) The Institute for Contemporary Theatre (Brighton).
Theatre includes: Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (ICTHEATRE); The Little Prince in The Little Prince (ICTHEATRE); Dancer in Jack Whitehall Stood-up Tour (Brighton Centre).
Workshops include: The 13 Labours of Popeye (R&D).
Recordings include: Saboni in Someone Dangerous (BBC Radio 4).
Film includes: Revathi in Sila Nodigal; Diya in Binny Aur Baba; Dancer in Humraaz; Emily in A Misdirected Ode (Short Film).
Television includes: Grace Season 4 (ITV).
Other work includes: Music videos for Averses d’été (Gilliamson); No Messiah (Skinny Living).
Kyle Evans
Training: Urdang.
Theatre includes: Cinderella (St Helens Theatre); Grease The Musical (Secret Cinema).
Credits whilst training: Urinetown; All Shook Up.
Television includes: FA Cup Final Opening Ceremony – Black Eyed Peas (Principality Stadium); Doctor Who (BBC).
Iván Fernández González
Training: Guildford School of Acting.
Theatre includes: Dan in Halls (The Turbine Theatre); understudy Simeon & Reuben in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK & Ireland Tour, Princess of Wales Theatre Canada); understudy Ram in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket, The Other Palace).
Workshops include: Darius in 13 Going On 30 (Battersea Arts Centre).
Recordings include: Pretty Clothes, Vamos Vente, Love Looks Great on You, Marco Polo (Original Music).
Other work includes: Starbucks Autumn, Omio Spring (2023 Campaigns), Dream Beds (2021 Campaign); The Clockmakers Daughter, Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel, West End Does: Magic of Animation 2 (Cadogan Hall Concerts); One Young World Summit – Opening Ceremony (Royal Albert Hall).
Kuldeep Goswami
Training: Shiamak Davar’s Institute for the Performing Arts (India). Puppetry and movement under David Greeves. Additionally, Kuldeep has trained in Indian classical singing and can sing in multiple languages. He also specialises in the art of Bo-staff, Bo-staff fire, and stunts/tricks.
Theatre includes: Zangoora – Kingdom of Dreams (Delhi, India); Beyond Bollywood (Mumbai, India); Jaan-E-Jigar (Bollywood Parks Dubai, UAE); Chhota Bheem (India); Devdas (India); Mumbai Nights 2 (assistant choreographer and performer, Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE).
Film includes: Halki Phulki.
Television includes: Dahan (Disney+ Hotstar); Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhe (Netflix); The Big Day Season 2 (Netflix).
Other work includes: IIFA Awards; Filmfare Awards; Masala Awards; JIO Foundation; Marella Cruises by TUI under Peel Talent (choreographer).
Bob Harms
Training: Arts Educational and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.
Theatre includes: Assassins (Chichester Festival Theatre); Mr. Thompson/Happy Man in Pretty Woman (Piccadilly Theatre, Savoy Theatre); Come From Away (The Abbey Theatre, Dublin); Odin in Thor and Loki (Edinburgh Fringe, Tour); King Arthur in Spamalot (Mercury Theatre, UK Tour); Abananza in Aladdin (Richmond Theatre); Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity (Manchester Royal Exchange); Frankie in Jackie The Musical (UK Tour); Steve Baker/Jim Greene in Show Boat (Sheffield Crucible Theatre); Ephraim in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (Regents Park Open Air Theatre); Ship Captain in Anything Goes (Sheffield Crucible, UK Tour); Backing Vocalist in Kate Bush: Before the Dawn (Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith); Dr Grimwig in Oliver! (Sheffield Crucible Theatre); Merrily We Roll Along (Harold Pinter Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Arena Tour); Fletcher in Wonderful Town (UK Tour); Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory); Chicago (Adelphi, Cambridge Theatre); Larry Hastings in Bells Are Ringing (Union Theatre); Priscilla (Palace Theatre); Imagine This (New London Theatre); Dirty Dancing (Aldwiych Theatre); Alternate Ren in Footloose (UK Tour & Novello); On The Town (ENO); Mathew Bourne’s Swan Lake (International Tour).
Raimu Itfum
Training: Leeds Metropolitan University.
Theatre credits include: Made by God (Theatre 503); Constellations (Tara Theatre); Bollywood Cabaret by Bollyillusion (National Theatre x The Glory); Man Equals Man (Omnibus Theatre); The Final Trumpet (Drayton Arms Theatre); Nybble (V&A Museum); Magnets No.2 – What it takes to be a man? (Brady Arts Centre/The Biscuit Factory); Zombieland (Her Majesty’s Theatre); Fame The Musical (Rose Theatre); Lightness (Sadler’s Wells).
Film credits include: Aladdin; The Eternals; The Reealist; Soli|tude; C.O.M.P.L.E.X;ities; Laws of Attraction and Queer Parivaar.
Television credits include: The X Factor; Britain’s Got Talent; Strictly Come Dancing; Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
Other credits include: Lady Lessons (Director, Theatre 503); Brown Girls Noise (Movement Director, The Hope Theatre); What’s Love Got to Do with It? (Assistant Choreographer, Studio Canal feature film); Sundown Kiki (Assistant Director, Young Vic); The Boys (Writer, Kiln Theatre); Just a F@£K Boy With Feelings (Writer, Soho Writers Lab/Tara Theatre); Chai with Rai (Podcast); a residency at Soho House and WeWork.
RoMaya Jey
RoMaya will be making her professional debut with Bhangra Nation and is very excited to be a part of this special show. She would like to thank her Uncle Ravi (ரவி மாமா) for introducing her to Bharatanatyam classes and her family & friends for their constant support .
Training: Urdang.
Credits whilst training: Alex Owens in Flashdance (Urdang).
This will be RoMaya’s professional debut.
Sophie Kandola
Training: Guildford School of Acting
Theatre includes: Beauty in Sleeping Beauty; Woman 1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Coco in Fame; Assistant Director for Bombay Superstar (UK Tour); Rekha in Bring On The Bollywood; Amor in Stardust (UK Premier); Louise in Ghost: The Musical (GSA); Penny/Assistant Choreographer/Dance Captain for Honk! (GSA).
TV/Film Credits: Daisha in Doctors (BBC 1); Priya in Dishes, Dishes, Dishes.
Workshops include: Mandeep in Faith Workshop (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Other work includes: Talk TV Commercial; Barnardo’s Children Charity Commercial; Caz in In Her Strength (R&D); Ruksana in Mad About The Boy (Short Film); Backing Singer in Josh Groban Stages World Tour.
Sohm Kapila
Training: 3 yr BA Hons Meisner Acting at Italia Conti London; Comedy Sitcom – Lesly Kahn Los Angeles; Film Acting – New York Film Academy.
Theatre includes: Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical (Phoenix, West End for SFP); Bollywood Zack (Tara Arts), Bring on the Bollywood (Phizzical Theatre); Britain’s got Bhangra (Rifco) Beauty and the Beast (Trinity Theatre); Enemy of the People (Tara Arts); Handful of Henna (Rasa and OTC).
Film includes: Aquaman 2 (Universal); Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse (Columbia Pictures); Grizzly Night (2024 release); The Univited (2024 release); Untitled Horror Film (Bronwyn Cornelius Prod.); Skyscraper (Universal); The Mummy (Universal); Sammy’s Adventures (Pathé).
Television includes: Never Have I Ever (Netflix); The Morning Show (Apple TV); Charmed, AP Bio, NCIS LA, SWAT, Jane the Virgin, Madam Secretary (CBS); 911 (Fox); Doctors, Waking the Dead, Paradox (BBC); Coronation Street (ITV).
Other work includes: Voiceovers: Prof Shah in Hogwarts Legacy Video Game; Station Commander in Prey Moon Crash; Silver Street (6 years) for BBC Worldwide.
Sohm was chosen as a Bafta Connect member 2023/24 and also a writer and producer with her current film Ashes on the Highway on the film festival circuit. She is very excited to be back in Birmingham after her many years working at the mailbox with the Silver Street radio play and can’t wait to get those shoulders bouncing!
Arysha Kelly
Training: Arts Educational Schools London.
Theatre includes: Twelfth Night (East London Shakespeare Festival); From The Ground Up (Almeida Theatre Company).
Credits whilst training: Victoria in Totally Over You (Andrew Lloyd Webber Theatre); The Prince in Romeo and Juliet, Marianne in Constellations.
Television includes: Mel (Met Film School); Level Up (Short Film).
Ai Kumar
Training: Guildford School of Acting.
Theatre includes: Sleeping Beauty (Theatr Clwyd); The Sound of Music (Ciputra Artpreneur).
Credits whilst training: Cry Baby (GSA); Applause (GSA); Holiday Inn (GSA).
Workshops include: 1666 (ATG).
Film includes: Nineteen (Frenesy Films).
Other work includes: West End Does: Hollywood (Cadogan Hall).
Louis Mackrodt
Training: Laine Theatre Arts
Credits include: Hamilton (Victoria Palace); Treason (London Palladium & UK Tour); Assistant Choreographer – 42 Balloons (Vaudeville); Guys and Dolls (Theatre Marigny, Paris); The Producers (Royal Exchange, Manchester); Alonso in Lewis (The King’s Head & Edinburgh Festival); Time Flies (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Peter Pan (Churchill Theatre & Hull New Theatre).
TV & Commercial includes: Maersk – Together All the Way (Commercial), National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals (BBC).
Workshops: The Red and the Black; The Witches of Eastwick; 42 Balloons; Assistant Choreographer – Icon The K Pop Musical.
Louis would just like to thank company, agents and above all family for all their support throughout this process!
Aaron Mistry
Training: Addict Dance Academy (2017-2020).
Theatre includes: Bombay Superstar (2022), Rock of Ages.
Film includes: MARVEL Eternals (2021), What’s Love Got To Do With It? (2022).
Television includes: The Only Way Is Essex, ESPN, Slow Horses, Dance 100 (Netflix).
Other work includes: Natasha Hamilton (Atomic Kitten), Becky Hill, Mimi Webb, Yung Filly, Sinitta.
Mervin Noronha
Training: Urdang Academy.
Theatre Credits Include: Aladdin in Aladdin (Blackpool Grand Theatre); Assistant Dance Captain in The Wizard of Oz (Curve); Chorus and U/S Polyneices & Eteocles in Antigone (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Dance Captain in Wonderville (Palace Theatre).
Film Credits Include: Boyband Member in Greatest Days (Elysian Films); Kaz’s Friend/Groomsmen in What’s Love Go To Do With It? (Working Title/StudioCanal).
Workshops include: Just For One Day (The Old Vic); Feond in Tinker Bell The Musical (The Other Palace); Lee in Woodhill R&D (Shoreditch Town Hall & The North Wall Oxford).
Jena Pandya
Training: Bird College.
Theatre includes: Natalie in Halls The Musical (Turbine Theatre); Sophie in Mamma Mia! (UK Tour); What’s New Pussycat? (Birmingham Rep).
Workshops include: Arlene in 13 Going on 30 (Battersea Arts Centre); Sooz Kicklighter in Dark Lord (The Other Palace).
Other work includes: Girlfriend in Axis Bank (Commercial); Anita in West Side Story (Bird College); Dance Captain in Guys and Dolls (Bird College).
Ajay Sahota
Ajay is delighted to be making his professional stage debut in Bhangra Nation in his hometown of Birmingham. He recently graduated with a BSc in Medical Sciences from the University of Leeds. He would like to thank his family, friends and fellow members of Leeds University Musical Theatre Society for their endless love and support.
Other Work Includes: Jamie Wellerstein in The Last Five Years (University of Leeds); Bobby in Company (University of Leeds); Tom Collins in RENT (University of Leeds); Stokes in Carrie: The Musical (University of Leeds).
Edward Turner
Training: Bird College.
Theatre credits: Aladdin (E M Forster Theatre Tonbridge); Cinderella in-the-round (English National Ballet at the Royal Albert Hall).
Credits whilst training: Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street; Georg Zirschnitz in Spring Awakening; and Move It 2022.
Leo Udvarlaky
Training: The BRIT School 2018-2020, Performers College 2020-2023.
Television includes: Saudi Games 2023, The King Fahd International Stadium (Director Mitch Sebastian, Choreographed by Vikki Clark, Laura Gill); UEFA Ladies Euro’s Final – Becky Hill, Stefflon Don and Ultra Naté 2022 (Director Christian Storm, Choreographed by Mark Jennings).
Other work includes: Aditya Birla Group Awards – India 2022 (Director LuSI, Choreographed by Nathan Clarke and Jared Hageman).
Creatives
Book by
Rehana Lew Mirza
Rehana Lew Mirza
Rehana Lew Mirza’s plays include: Hatefuck (First Floor in Chicago; WP/Colt Coeur); A People’s Guide to History in the Time of Here and Now (Primary Stages Toulmin commission); Soldier X (Ma-Yi); Tomorrow, Inshallah (Living Room Theater; Storyworks/HuffPost commission); Neighborhood Watch (NNPN commission) and Barriers (Desipina, AATC.)
With Mike Lew, she shared a 2016-2022 Mellon National Playwright Residency (administered by Howlround) at Ma-Yi. In addition to the book to Bhangra Nation (La Jolla Playhouse, Rodgers Award, Project Springboard, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat) they’ve co-written The Colonialism Project (La Jolla Playhouse commission.)
Rehana’s short film “Modern Day Arranged Marriage” screened at over 30 festivals including the British Film Institute’s London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Her feature “Hiding Divya” screened at Tongues on Fire in the UK.
Honors include: Kleban, NYFA Fellowship, HBO Access Fellowship, Lilly Award, CCTP Residency, and a TCG/New Georges Fellowship. MFA: Columbia University; BFA: NYU Tisch.
Mike Lew
Mike Lew
Mike Lew (co-book writer) is a New York based playwright whose works include Teenage Dick (Donmar Warehouse & London school tour, Public/Ma-Yi, Wooly Mammoth, Huntington, Pasadena Playhouse, O’Neill); tiny father (upcoming Geffen, Barrington, Chautauqua, Audible); Tiger Style! (TheatreWorks, South Coast Rep, Olney, Huntington, La Jolla Playhouse, Alliance, O’Neill); Bike America (Ma-Yi, Alliance); and microcrisis (Ma-Yi, InterAct).
Alongside composer Sam Willmott he and Rehana Lew Mirza cowrote the book to Bhangra Nation (Birmingham Rep, La Jolla Playhouse; Project Springboard and Rhinebeck workshops).
He is a Tony Voter and member of the Dramatists Guild Council. Awards/Fellowships: Guggenheim, New Dramatists, Mellon/Howlround, Lark Venturous, NYFA, PEN, Richard Rodgers, Lanford Wilson, Helen Merrill, Weissberger, Heideman, and Kendeda. Education: Juilliard, Yale.
Music & Lyrics by
Sam Willmott
Sam Willmott
Training: NYU.
Theatre credits include: Wake Up, Daisy! and Yo, Vikings! (both with Marcus Stevens); Standardized Testing – The Musical!!!! and the mini-musical Scarlet Takes a Tumble.
Television includes: HBO’s Emmy-nominated Song of Parkland.
Sam is the recipient of the Kleban Prize, Fred Ebb Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, the Richard Rodgers Award (for Bhangra Nation), and the ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson and Cole Porter Awards, among others. Sam currently teaches at Harvard University and serves as a staff writer for English Egg, a Korean language training programme, for whom he’s written over 170 songs.
For more, visit SamWillmott.com
Director
Stafford Arima
Stafford Arima
Stafford is a graduate of York University, where he received the Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Creative Work. He is currently the Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary in Canada.
Selected directing credits include: West End: Ragtime (Olivier nomination). Broadway: Allegiance; Seussical (Associate Director); A Class Act (Associate Director). Stratford Festival of Canada: Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. USA: Bhangin’ It; Altar Boyz; Carrie; The Tin Pan Alley Rag; A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim, Dial M for Murder; Candide. Canada: Forgiveness; A Christmas Carol; Billy Elliot; Mary and Max. Japan: The Secret Garden; Allegiance.
Choreographer
Rujuta Vaidya
Rujuta Vaidya
International choreographer Rujuta Vaidya’s credits include a variety of work from the world of Broadway such as the musical Bhangin’ It, to Hollywood, including the Britney Spears Circus Tour, Disney’s The Cheetah Girls, and AR Rahman Jai Ho performance at the 2009 Oscars. Rujuta’s credits also include Bollywood, with Sridevi’s Navrai Majhi from English Vinglish; Rajakumari and Madhuri Dixit’s Made in India; Priyanka Chopra’s In My City amongst many more.
Rujuta has also been a part of the world of academia as an Adjunct Professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, as well as many prestigious Performing Arts Colleges, Universities and programmes across the US.
Currently Rujuta lives between India and the US, choreographing for both Hollywood and Bollywood.
Set Design
Michael Taylor
Michael Taylor
Training: RADA
Previous work includes: Evita, Billy Elliot, West Side Story, What The Butler Saw, (Leicester Curve); Playboy of the West Indies (Birmingham Rep); The Dresser (Duke of York’s); The Ladykillers (Gielgud Theatre); The Crown Jewels (Garrick); White Christmas (Leicester Curve and Dominion Theatre); The Man In The White Suit (Wyndhams); The Best Man (Playhouse Theatre); The Winslow Boy (Birmingham Rep & Tour); A Christmas Carol (Northampton Royal Theatre); My Boy Jack (Hampstead), Kill Johnny Glendinning, Waiting For Godot, The Price, Death of a Salesman (Edinburgh Lyceum); The Shadow of a Gunman (Tricycle); Anne Boleyn, All’s Well That Ends Well, In Extremis, (Shakespeare’s Globe); Amphibians (RSC); Mountain Language (National Theatre); The Fatherland (Riverside Studios).
He won the Drama Magazine Best Designer Award for Tony Marchant’s The Attractions (Soho Poly).
For The Ladykillers, he received nominations for Best Set Design at the Olivier Awards and the Whatsonstage.com Awards.
Costume Designer
Linda Cho
Linda Cho
Broadway Credits: Harmony, Doubt, Summer, 1976; Take Me Out; Grand Horizons; Anastasia (Tony nomination); The Great Society; A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Tony & Henry Hewes Design Awards, Outer Critics Circle Nomination); The Lifespan of a Fact; Velocity of Autumn.
Selected Opera Credits: Turandot at Washington National Opera, American Soldier at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, The Dwarf at LA Opera, Samson and Dalila at the MET. Currently residing in New York City, this Korean-born Designer is on the Advisory Committee of the American Theatre Wing.
Education: MFA, Yale School of Drama, BA McGill University, Paris American Academy.
Lighting Designer
Nick Richings
Nick Richings
Credits include: Frank and Percy (The Other Palace); Alone Together (Theatre Royal Windsor);The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour, Paris, Australian Tour); Blood Brothers (UK Tour); Saturday Night Fever (West End & UK Tour); Wizard of Oz (Birmingham Rep); Jack and the Beanstalk (Hackney Empire). La Cage aux Folles (Playhouse Theatre & Broadway, Tony Award nomination Best Lighting, Tony winner of Best Musical); Nell Gwynn (Apollo Theatre & Shakespeare’s Globe); The Master Builder; A Man for All Seasons (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Spamalot (Playhouse Theatre); Damon Albarn’s Monkey: Journey to the West (Royal Opera House, Lincoln Center, Paris and the O2); Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales), Whistle Down the Wind (Palace Theatre and US tour); Fiddler on the Roof, Scrooge (London Palladium), Ghost (UK tour, Moscow, Paris, Dubai)
Sound Designer
Adam Fisher
Adam Fisher
Sound design credits include: Evita (Curve Leicester); Sunset Boulevard (Savoy Theatre); Lizzie the Musical (Hope Mill Theatre & Tour); Evita in Concert, Love Never Dies in Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium, Curve Leicester); Phantom of the Opera (Middle East Tour); Billy Elliot (Curve Leicester); The Witches of Eastwick in Concert (Sondheim Theatre); The Last Five Years (Garrick Theatre & Southwark Playhouse); The Show Must Go On! (Palace); The Phantom of the Opera (Greece & Riyadh); The Lord of the Rings, Our Man in Havana (Watermill Theatre); Into the Woods (Theatre Royal Bath); Cinderella (Hope Mill Theatre); The View Upstairs (European premiere, Brighton Theatre Royal); Soho Cinders (World premiere, Soho Theatre).
Adam was also involved in the 25th Anniversary concerts of Les Misérables (The O2 Arena) and The Phantom of the Opera (Royal Albert Hall).
Projection Designer
David Bengali
David Bengali
Broadway: Water for Elephants, The Thanksgiving Play, 1776.
Off-Broadway including: Twilight: LA 1992 (Henry Hewes Award, Drama Desk Nom.), Monsoon Wedding, Anthony Rapp’s Without You, The Visitor (Lortel Nom.), Circle Jerk (Obie Award, Drama League Nom.), Einstein’s Dreams (Drama Desk Nom.), Van Gogh’s Ear (Drama Desk Nom.), The Great Leap, Here There Are Blueberries.
U.S. Regional including: La Jolla Playhouse, A.R.T., Yale Rep, Dallas Theater Center, Alliance
U.S. National Tours of: Peter Pan, 1776, Rockin’ Road To Dublin.
Additional Choreography & Musical Staging
Rebecca Howell
Rebecca Howell
Training: London Studio Centre.
Theatre credits include: Farewell Mr Haffman (Ustinov); The Third Man (Menier Chocolate Factory); Berlusconi (Southwark Playhouse); Cabaret (Gothenburg Opera); Lady in the Dark (Opera Zuid); The Louder We Get (Theatre Calgary); Moulin Rouge! (Broadway/West End – Associate Choreographer); The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ (West End, Menier Chocolate Factory); The Man of La Mancha (ENO, London Coliseum); The Wizard of Oz (Pitlochry Festival Theatre); Ruthless (West End); Barnum; She Loves Me (Menier Chocolate Factory); Mamma Mia! (Municipal Theatre, Cyprus); The Country Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre); Spamalot; The Glass Menagerie (English Theatre Frankfurt); The Life of The Party (TheatreWorks, San Francisco); Blockbuster (UK Tour); The Taming of the Shrew; As You Like It (Guildford Shakespeare Company).
Opera Credits include: Peter Grimes; Giulio Cesare (Teatro alla Scala); Aida; Falstaff (Royal Opera House); Il Trionfo del Tempo (Salzburg Festival); Die Tote Stadt (Komische Oper Berlin); The Beggars Opera (Paris)
Screen Credits include: The Crown Season 4 (Left Bank)
Bhangra Consultant
Parambeer Samrai
Parambeer Samrai
As a seasoned Bhangra director with a robust background in Bhangra dance, Parambeer‘s career spans over two decades of dedicated expertise.
Renowned for his exceptional choreography, he has graced international dance competitions, leaving an indelible mark on prestigious stages worldwide. His vibrant presence has illuminated television screens on esteemed channels like the BBC, while his collaborations with global icons in music and dance have garnered acclaim.
Casting Director (Grindrod Burton Casting)
David Grindrod
David Grindrod
Theatre includes: Sinatra (The Rep), Mamma Mia! (Worldwide), Matilda, Groundhog Day, Back to the Future, Time Travellers Wife, Grease, Greatest Days, Elf, Mamma Mia! The Party, Hairspray and all titles composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Film includes: Musical Ensemble casting: Greatest Days, Matilda, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!
UK Dance Casting: Mary Poppins Returns, Nine.
Casting Director: Phantom of the Opera.
Television includes: Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, Sound of Music Live, Superstar, Over the Rainbow, I’d Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria.
David is also proud to be Associate Artist at the Old Vic Theatre, Vice President for Arts Educational School, Trustee Watermill Theatre, Newbury, Trustee Council of Dance and Musical Theatre, advisor to the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation for Scholarships.
Casting Co-Ordinator for GBC: Will Burry.
Music Supervisor
Richard Morris
Richard Morris
Richard Morris has worked extensively in Theatre, TV and Radio as Musical Supervisor, Conductor, Musical Director, Musician Contractor, Arranger and/or Orchestrator,
His Theatre credits include: The Phantom Of The Opera (European Tour, Middle East Tour), Cinderella (Gillian Lynne, Original Cast Recording, Broadway), The Cher Show (UK Tour), Unmasked (Papermill Playhouse), Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket, The Other Palace, UK Cast Recording), Evita (Phoenix Theatre, UK tour, European tour), The Glenn Miller Story (London Coliseum, UK tour), The Osmonds (UK Tour), Ghost (UK tour, European tour), Abenteuerland (Capitol Theatre), Berlin, Berlin (Admiralspalast Theatre, German Tour), American Idiot (Arts Theatre, UK tour), Blood Brothers (UK tour), Cabaret (UK tour), La Cage Aux Folles (UK tour), Saturday Night Fever (UK tour), Avenue Q (UK tour), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour), Sound Of Music (UK tour),
Richard also serves as the Senior Music Consultant for The Really Useful Group.
He has worked as a Musical Director on numerous BBC radio and television programmes, such as The One Show, The Andrew Marr Show, Woman’s Hour, The Radio 2 Arts Show etc. and his orchestrations have been performed by numerous orchestras in major venues, worldwide, notably for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert and the Coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Charles III.
Orchestrator
Matthew Malone
Matthew Malone
Additional Arrangements & Orchestrations
Kuljit Bhamra
Kuljit Bhamra
Kuljit is best known as a pioneer of the British Bhangra sound and for his many collaborations with musicians from different cultures.
He has recorded and produced over 2000 songs and is the recipient of many awards including a platinum disc for outstanding record sales presented by the much-loved BBC Radio DJ, John Peel. Currently Professor of Tabla, Indian Rhythm & Improvisation at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Kuljit is passionately committed to promoting the understanding of Indian instruments, and broadening their use in all types of music.
In his ongoing mission to Demystify Indian Music and Democratise Indian drumming, he created a Tabla Notation system which is now being used by composers and music students worldwide. Recently, he created the world’s first electronic tabla which he developed in his company Keda Music.
His cutting-edge projects and ground-breaking educational work earned him the prestigious honour of MBE in 2009
Musical Director
Josh Sood
Josh Sood
Josh Sood, a graduate from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Music, specializes in orchestral conducting. Mentored by the likes of David Charles Abell and Mike Dixon, he currently serves as the Musical Director for Bhangra Nation at The Rep.
Noteworthy credits include his role as Musical Supervisor, MD, and Orchestrator for But I’m A Cheerleader at the Turbine Theatre. Josh’s extensive repertoire as Musical Director spans productions like Bhangra Nation, New Stuff, RENT, and Pigs Might Fly. His talents extend to orchestration, with contributions to productions like A Journey to The Past and Untapped.
As Assistant/Associate Musical Director, he has worked on acclaimed shows such as The Rocky Horror Show and Jersey Boys. His multifaceted career also includes roles as Orchestrator, workshops for various productions, and contributions to projects like Further Than The Furthest Thing, CONFESSIONS, and Power Play. With a rich background in the music industry, Josh has left an indelible mark on diverse productions, showcasing his versatility and passion for the craft.
Assistant/Resident Director
Nikhil Vyas
Nikhil Vyas
Nikhil Vyas is a theatre director & maker from Croydon, whose practice includes dramaturgy, education & participatory work. He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and the Young Vic Directors Program.
Work as director includes: The Mosinee Project (R&D/ongoing), Dismissed (Soho Theatre), Haunting & Renting (Five Shorts, Young Vic), My Life As A Cowboy (Park Theatre), Progress (Camden People’s Theatre/ZOO Venues Edinburgh), How My Light Is Spent (Wardrobe Theatre).
Work as assistant director includes: Chasing Hares (Young Vic), ‘Night Mother (Hampstead Theatre), Civilisation (New Diorama Theatre), Wild Goose Dreams (Theatre Royal Bath).
Digital work includes: Dances For PowerPoint (Siobhan Davies Dance)
Associate Set Designer
Isobel Nicolson
Isobel Nicolson
Training: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Set and Costume Design credits include: The Return of Benjamin Lay (Finborough Theatre); Winner’s Curse (Park Theatre); Lone Flyer (Hull Truck); Rapunzel, Camp Albion, A Christmas Carol, Moonfleet, Digging for Victory (Watermill); Bright Young Things, Stay Brave Brian Gravy (Theatre Royal BSE); Errol’s Garden (UK Tour); Old Friends (Cambridge Junction); Queen Mab (Iris Theatre); ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Sherman Studio); The Witches (Watford Palace Theatre); Jabberwocky (The Other Palace).
Other work includes: My Neighbour Totoro (Barbican/RSC). Associate Set Designer; V&A Exhibition Artist.
Isobel is a Creative Associate at The Watermill and was the RSC Resident Assistant Designer between 2019-2020.
U.S. Associate Costume Designer
Herin Kaputkin
Herin Kaputkin
Herin is a New York based designer, and is honored to be part of bringing this story to the stage.
Training: MFA in Costume Design from Yale University, and a BFA in Costume Design and Construction from Purchase College.
Credits include: The Caucasian Chalk Circle (The Juilliard School;) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Fordham University;) LaCocina (Fordham University;) FunHome (TheaterWorks Hartford;) Christmas in Connecticut (Goodspeed Opera House;) The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) ((Revised)) (Shakespeare on the Vine;) RAGE! A Play with Music (Quinnipiac University); American Son (TheaterWorks Hartford); El Huracan (Yale Repertory Theater); Othello, The Girl is Chained, This Sweet Affliction and Pentecost (Yale School of Drama), Marvellous (NYC Fringe Festival); The Shakes: Romeo and Juliet (The Flea Theater); Cendrillon (Purchase Opera Company).
U.K. Associate Costume Designer/Supervisor
Kay Wilton
Kay Wilton
Kay worked for 30 years as a freelance designer/ maker for theatre, film, ballet and opera including shows at The Rep, Birmingham Royal Ballet and film and opera with director Ken Russell.
She joined The Rep as full time maker, milliner and costume supervisor in 2013 and was appointed head of department in 2017.
This was also the year that The Rep created NATIVITY! The Musical, one of her favourite shows to work on, well worth all the effort it took to create. The show is a joy to work on as well as to watch. It is everything that a Christmas show should have and the sparkle and shine we all need just now.
Associate Lighting Designer
Tom Davis
Tom Davis
Tom trained at Rose Bruford College and graduated in 2012 with a BA(Hons) in Creative Lighting Control. He has worked internationally on a variety of productions, spanning across theatre, opera, live events, live music and theme park attractions.
Recent productions include: Rock Me Amadeus (Ronacher Theatre, Vienna), Grace Jones (International Festivals), 2:22 (Apollo Theatre, London), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Dailes Theatre, Riga), The Island (China Tour), Sleeping Beauty (Buxton Opera House), Holiday on Ice: A New Day (European Tour), Miss Saigon (Imperial Theatre, Tokyo), Nabucco (Oper Im Steinbruch, Austria), Sweeney Todd (Buxton Opera House), Oliver! (Tokyo Theatre Orb, Tokyo), Disney Junior Dream Factory (Disneyland Paris), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (UK Tour), Frozen: A Musical Invitation (Disneyland Paris), Ghost (Théatre Mogador, Paris), Les Misérables (Imperial Theatre, Tokyo), Marvel Superheroes United (Disneyland Paris), Saturday Night Fever (UK Tour).
Associate Sound Designer
Oliver Durrant
Oliver Durrant
Credits as an Associate Designer: Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends (London); Evita in concert (London); Billy Elliott (Curve); Evita (European tour); Shawshank Redemption (UK tour); Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK tour).
Sound Supervisor: Les Miserables (London); Phantom of the Opera (London).
As Designer: When Darkness Falls (UK tour); Catch Me If You Can (Arts Ed); Sweeney Todd (Arts Ed); Dreamboats and Petticoats the Christmas Party (Peterborough); Magpies and Mischief (Jersey Arts Center).
Ollie designs pantomimes around the UK each year and is the FOH engineer for Remember Monday.
Mixing credits include: Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends (London); Phantom of the Opera (London). Production Mixer: Phantom of the Opera (Sydney Opera House); Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends gala (London); Les Miserables (London); Les Miserables The All Star Concert (London); The Witches of Eastwick Concert (London); Cilla the Musical (UK tour); Evita (London and International tour); The Sound of Music (UK tour), Jesus Christ Superstar (International tour), The War of the Worlds (London).
Associate Projection Designer
Stivo Arnoczy
Stivo Arnoczy
Stivo Arnoczy is a video designer hailing from New York City & Otsego County, NY. NYU:TISCH.
Recent work includes: Cowboy Bob (Alley Theatre), Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (B’way, as Assoc.), Tick Tick Boom (Bucks County Playhouse), Monsoon Wedding (Doha, Qatar & at St. Anns Warehouse, as Assoc.), American Jade (Bucks County Playhouse), Cabaret (Hangar Theatre), untitled danceshowpartything (Virgin Voyages), Without You (New World Stages, As Assoc.)., The Rose Tattoo (B’Way, as Assoc.), Be More Chill (B’Way, as Asst.), The Band’s Visit (B’Way International Tour, as Assoc.)
Associate Producer
Cynthia J. Tong
Cynthia J. Tong
Production Management
Setting Line Production Management
Setting Line Production Management
Setting Line, conceived by Andy Fox and Lee Batty, provide first class Production and General Management services to creative companies worldwide. Supported by our Associate Production Managers Sam Wright and Brendan McEvoy.
Recent credits: The Olivier Awards (Solt/Itv); Newsies (Runaway Entertainment); Hairspray, The Full Monty, The Great British Bake Off Musical (Mark Goucher Productions); Coming To England (Birmingham Rep); Oti Mabuse’s I Am Here, The Osmonds: A New Musical, The Cher Show, Winnie The Pooh, Fisherman’s Friends (UK Tour, Royo); Les Misérables (UK Tour, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd); And Then There Were None (UK Tour, Fiery Angel); The Phantom of the Opera (International Tour, Broadway Entertainment Group); The Book Thief (Dem Productions); Bluey’s Big Play (Live Nation and Kenny Wax Productions).
Forthcoming productions: The Boy at the Back of the Class (Children’s Theatre Partnership); And Then There Were None (China Tour, Fiery Angel) and Now That’s What I Call a Musical (ROYO).
Props Supervisor
Ryan O'Conner for ROC Props
Ryan O'Conner for ROC Props
ROC Props credits include: The Book Thief (Curve, Belgrade Theatre); Life of Pi (Sheffield Theatres, Wyndhams Theatre, UK Tour); Noises Off (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Roman Holiday (Theatre Royal Bath); Newsies (Wembley Park Theatre); The Clothes They Stood Up In (Nottingham Playhouse); Eureka Day (The Old Vic); Identical (Nottingham Playhouse, The Lowry); Peaky Blinders: The Rise (The Camden Garrison); Dr Who: Time Fracture (U.N.I.T HQ); The Collaboration (Young Vic Theatre); The Mirror and the Light (Gielgud Theatre); Teenage Dick (Donmar Warehouse).
Intimacy Director
Christina Fulcher
Christina Fulcher
Voice Coach
Fiona McDougal
Fiona McDougal
Dialect Coach
Ellie Forrest
Ellie Forrest
General Manager
New Road Theatricals
New Road Theatricals
Founded by Ben Canning and Simon Woolley, New Road Theatricals provides general management, executive producing and tour booking services for productions of every scale and every stage of development in the West End, off-West End, regionally and internationally.
Current and recent productions include the National Theatre production of Dear England (West End, General Manager); Starter for Ten: A New Musical (Bristol Old Vic, Consultant General Manager); The Book of Mormon (UK Tour, Tour Booker).
Artistic Director (For Birmingham Rep)
Sean Foley
Sean Foley
Sean Foley is an actor, writer and director. A double Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee, his work – as lead creative on 14 West End shows: as co-writer/star; writer/director; adaptor/director; and director – has also been Olivier nominated multiple times. He has – uniquely – been personally nominated in the acting, writing and directing categories.
Sean is the Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, and his next production at the theatre is a new stage adaptation of Withnail & I. Sean’s other directing credits for The Rep include Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Save The World – Live On Stage and The Play What I Wrote.
Theatre credits include: the Olivier nominated The Upstart Crow, (director), starring David Mitchell and Gemma Whelan; The Play What I Wrote, (co-writer/director), first major revival guest starring Tom Hiddleston, Adrian Lester, et al; ; his Olivier Award winning production of Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, (Duke of Yorks), starring Stephen Mangan and Matthew MacFadyen; Olivier Award nominated The Miser, (co-writer and director, Garrick Theatre), starring Griff Rhys Jones; The Painkiller, in Kenneth Branagh’s West End season, (as adaptor/director, Garrick Theatre), starring Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon; the 5 times Olivier nominated The Ladykillers (as director and script associate), including Best Director, Best New Play and Whatsonstage Award for Best New Comedy, Gielgud, starring Peter Capaldi; the Olivier nominated, Arturo Brachetti: Change, (as writer/director, Garrick); the Olivier Award winning Do You Come Here Often? (as co-writer and actor, Vaudeville); the Olivier Award winning The Play What I Wrote, (as co-writer and actor – further jointly nominated as Best Actor, Wyndham’s). The play was also Tony Award nominated on its Broadway transfer); the Olivier Award nominated, Ducktastic, (as co-writer and actor, Albery). The Walworth Farce, with Brendan, Domhnall and Briain Gleeson, Olympia Theatre, Dublin.
Further directing work includes: The Man In The White Suit, (as writer/director, Wyndhams), starring Stephen Mangan; The Dresser, (Duke of York’s); his RSC debut, adapting and directing Thomas Middleton’s A Mad World My Masters, (Swan Theatre, Stratford, and Barbican); Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s, I Can’t Sing! at The London Palladium, starring Cynthia Erivo; Present Laughter, The Critic, and The Real Inspector Hound, (Chichester Festival Theatre); Joe Orton’s What The Butler Saw, (Vaudeville); Ben Hur, (Watermill); Pinter’s People, (Theatre Royal, Haymarket); as writer only, his adaptation of Eugene Ionesco’s Amedee, or How To Get Rid Of It, debuted at Birmingham Rep.
Sean has also directed the live shows of leading comedians, including: Joan Rivers: A Work In Progress, (Leicester Square); Armstrong and Miller Live (UK Tour); Catherine Tate Live (UK and Australian Tour)
As co-artistic director of the right size, he created, co-wrote and starred in ten original stage comedies 1990 to 2000. The company played in over 25 countries around the world, winning many international awards.
His feature film directing debut, Mindhorn, written by and starring Julian Barratt & Simon Farnaby, was first seen at the London Film Festival and won the London Film Comedy Award for Best First Feature. TV directing includes episodes of Sky’s anthology series, Urban Myths: Marilyn and Billy, starring Gemma Arterton; and, Diana and Freddy.
Executive Producer (For Birmingham Rep)
Chloe Naldrett
Chloe Naldrett
Freelance Producer (For Birmingham Rep)
Sarah Page
Sarah Page
Sarah Page is a Freelance Producer/Consultant with over a decade of experience working in the theatre industry. As a freelancer she has worked with organisations such as: Punchdrunk ‘The world’s leading immersive theatre company’, Global Creatures, Theatre Peckham and ITV.
Before going freelance, Sarah was Lead Artistic Producer on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Prior to this she served west end production offices, including: The Really Useful Group, Society of London Theatre and Mark Rubinstein Ltd. Sarah also specialises in EDI within Creative Arts and is a Non-Executive Director for Beyond the Box CIC.
Associate Producers
Thomas M.Neff
Thomas M.Neff
Jay Alix and Una Jackman
Jay Alix and Una Jackman
No Guarantees
No Guarantees
Stage Entertainment
Stage Entertainment
Brad Blume
Brad Blume
Deborah Green
Deborah Green
Margeurite Hoffman
Margeurite Hoffman
Christine Mattsson
Christine Mattsson
Silva Theatrical Group
Silva Theatrical Group
Ricardo Hornos
Ricardo Hornos
Ken and Mady Kades
Ken and Mady Kades
Rohi Mirza Pandya
Rohi Mirza Pandya
Beesham A. Seecharan
Beesham A. Seecharan
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