Cast and creative team announced for CHOIR BOY at Bristol Old Vic

Bristol Old Vic have announced the full cast and creative team for Tarel Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy, which plays at the venue from 12 October-11 November.

With a cast led by some of the hottest young musical theatre stars in the UK, this is the first major UK revival of the soul-stirring musical production and is directed by Bristol Old Vic’s new Artistic Director Nancy Medina.

Choir Boy is a Tony-nominated play by Academy Award-winning writer Tarell Alvin McCraney, which follows Pharus, a young queer, Black student, leading the legendary gospel choir at his elite all-boys prep school in America. This tender coming-of-age story is threaded through with a cappella gospel hymns and spirituals and rejoices in what it means to march to your own drum.

Terique Jarrett (Daddy, Almeida Theatre) plays Pharus, alongside Jyuddah Jaymes (Romeo and Juliet, Almeida Theatre) as Pharus’ roommate AJ, Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) as David, Khalid Daley (Hamilton, West End) as JR, and Alistair Nwachukwu (professional stage debut) as Bobby.

The cast is completed by Daon Broni (Girl on an Altar, Kiln Theatre) as Headmaster Marrow, and Martin Turner (The Son, West End) in the role of teacher Mr Pendleton.

Nancy Medina said: “At every step of putting our production of Choir Boy together, there’s been a palpable feeling of joy and giddiness - because it offers such rich, three-dimensional characters for young Black men to perform. It provides what is still a rare opportunity to delve deep into gorgeous characters and explore their honest relationships through really well-crafted storytelling. Tarell Alvin McCraney's script never skips a beat, getting to the essence of what human connection means. I’ve known this play for a few years and during that time society has shifted the conversation about identity, equity and social justice on quite significantly. Woven through this joyous play, current conversations take on new meaning, as our tremendously talented cast and creative team bring it to life, I hope Bristol audiences fall in love with Choir Boy as much as I have.”

Choir Boy has musical direction by Femi Temowo, design by Max Johns, lighting by Simisola Majekodunmi, sound by Donato Wharton, movement direction and intimacy coordination by Ingrid Mackinnon, and casting by Julia Horan.

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