Stratford East announces principal cast and creatives for THE BIG LIFE

Theatre Royal Stratford East have announced the cast and creative team for its revival of hit Windrush Ska musical The Big Life, which runs from 16 February-30 March 2024.

With a book by Paul Sirett and Tameka Empson, lyrics by Paul Sirett, and music by Paul Joseph, the production opens 20 years after it premiered at the venue and transferred to the West End.

Directed by Tinuke Craig, the cast includes Tameka Empson reprising her role as Mrs Aphrodite from the original production, alongside Juliet Agnes as Kathy, Danny Bailey as Admiral/Eros, Gabrielle Brooks as Sybil, Nathanael Campbell as Bernie, Khalid Daley as Dennis, Beth Elliott as Jacqueline/Secretary, Leanne Henlon as Mary, Rachel John as Zulieka, Karl Queensborough as Lenni, and Ashley Samuels as Ferdy.

Completing the creative team are set and costume designer Jasmine Swan, lighting designer Elliot Griggs, sound designer Emma Laxton, musical director Ian Oakley, choreographer Ingrid Mackinnon, and casting director Jacob Sparrow.

Further casting and musicians to be announced.

It’s 1950s London, and Ferdy, Bernie, Dennis and Lennie arrive from the West Indies full of expectations and aspirations.

Eager to make successes of themselves, they are optimistic about what the future holds, plus Dennis is certain that showing his brother’s posthumous medal from World War II will mean he is welcomed heartily. Building this new life will take focus and sacrifice, and the young men make the bold decision to forswear wine and women for three whole years and devote themselves to their future in London.

Sybil, Mary, Zulieka and Kathy have other ideas. They know that man cannot live by bread alone! So each one's resolve is put to the test as the reality of life in a less-than-welcoming England, not to mention the weather, makes forgoing the warmth of female company hard to resist. Will the men stick with their idea of The Big Life, or will Cupid have the final say?

The Big Life is a joyful and uplifting musical where the story of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost meets that of the Windrush generation in a fun-packed Ska musical that’ll have you dancing in your seats.

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