Hope Mill Theatre announces its long-awaited cast of RENT revival that opens next month

Photo credit: Dujonna Gift-Simms

Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre has announced its cast for their upcoming revival of Jonathan Larson’s rock musical RENT, running at the venue from 30 October – 6 December.

The 12-strong company is made up of West End stars, Olivier nominees and 2020 graduates --- are you ready?!

Jocasta Almgill (& Juliet, Dreamgirls – West End) will play Joanne; Blake Patrick Anderson (Be More Chill – The Other Palace, Closer to Heaven – Off West End/Above the Stag) will play Mark; Tom Francis (Arts Ed 2020 graduate) will mark his professional debut as Roger; Ahmed Hamad (The Boy in the Dress – RSC, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – West End) will play Benny; Dom Hartley-Harris (George Washington in Hamilton – West End, Bat Out of Hell – Manchester & West End) will play Collins; Millie O’Connell (Olivier nominated as Anne Boleyn in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour, 42nd Street – West End) will play Maureen; Maiya Quansah-Breed (Olivier nominated as Catherine Parr in SIX The Musical – West End & UK Tour)  will play Mimi; Alex Thomas-Smith (Dear Evan Hansen – West End, Bat Out of Hell – West End)  will play Angel.

Completing the cast in featured ensemble roles are 2020 Royal Academy of Music Masters graduate Kayla Carter; Allie Daniel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Film), Isaac Hesketh (Book of Mormon – UK Tour) and Bethany Terry (West Side Story – Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, Bat Out of Hell – West End).

Having originally been cast back in February, the company will all receive a Covid-19 test before forming one household (bubble) for the duration of the run.

RENT will be directed by Luke Sheppard, with choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves, musical direction by Chris Poon, design by David Woodhead, lighting by Howard Hudson and sound by Paul Gatehouse. 

Director, Luke Sheppard, said: “This production of RENT is about placing this groundbreaking show in the hands of a new generation of exceptional musical theatre performers, and as we have shifted the lens on the production over the last months, the promise of this cast telling this story in these extraordinary times has felt increasingly vital. Most of them have been waiting in the wings since we cast the production at the start of the year and I'm enormously grateful for their patience and commitment. The Hope Mill Theatre continues to work tirelessly to make this production happen in a safe and secure way and it's a privilege to be working with this visionary venue to bring this special production to the stage."

All previews have now sold out, along with some performances, so audiences are being advised to book up quickly.

The venue will adhere to strict Covid-19 guidelines, operating at 50% capacity with 2 metres between audience rows and transparent safety screens separating bookings. There will be ample hand sanitising stations, extra toilets for patrons, staggered arrival times and temperature checks on arrival. The theatre itself will be fully cleaned between performances and audiences will be asked to wear face coverings or visors for the duration.

Hope Mill will not allow groups of 6+ people per booking, in line with current guidelines, and audience details will be collected for NHS Test and Trace purposes.

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.