Metta Theatre & Perfect Pitch announce release of new studio cast EP & music video for IN THE WILLOWS

Metta Theatre has announced the studio album release for hip hop musical, In The Willows, in collaboration with Perfect Pitch.

Produced remotely during lockdown, the album has been released today on all major streaming platforms, along with a new music video for number ‘Head Above Water’, which stars and has been choreographed by deaf dancer Chris Fonseca, who appeared in the original production.

Kenneth Graham’s much-loved story has been adapted into this thrilling new hip hop musical by P Burton-Morgan, who also directs the piece. It also features music and additional lyrics by Pippa Cleary and Kieran Merrick.

P Burton-Morgan said: “This is not Disney. These animal students are recognisably human, young and for the most part abandoned by the rest of society. Their teacher Badger is one of the few adults who believes in them and in their potential to achieve. They are by turns angry, lost, mischievous but ultimately searching for a sense of belonging - a new family made up of their fellow classmates.”

Also appearing on the album is former cast member Harry Jardine (Shakespeare in Love, Les Miserables) as well as Hiba Elchikhe (Aladdin, Ghost the Musical), Sharon Rose (Hamilton, Motown The Musical), Tim Mahendran (& Juliet, Spring Awakening) and award-winning actor Clive Rowe – who starred in the 2019 touring production of the show as ‘Badger’ - and who has just been appointed as Metta Theatre’s new Patron.

Clive Rowe said, “I’m incredibly honoured to have been asked to become a patron of the Metta Theatre company. Its drive, diversity, and constant pursuit of focused truthful work is a breath of fresh air and at its heart P Burton Morgan strives tirelessly to create new innovative and expressive work. I only hope that my patronage will in some way go to shine an even brighter light on this wonderful company.”

The music video can be seen below: