Line-up of shows for MTFestUK 2021 announced

Eight productions will be staged over the two-week festival.

The full line-up of shows for the third annual MTFestUK has been confirmed. Eight productions will receive their stage premiere at the Turbine Theatre, taking place virtually from 17-29 May.

The Turbine Theatre's artistic director Paul Taylor-Mills said: "It's impossible to ignore the challenges and sheer nerve required to make any kind of announcement during these times... It's the range of talent involved, and each individual musical's journey so far that makes MTFestUK such a unique and supportive environment... I'm proud that The Turbine Theatre is able to give writers and composers across the world the space to develop their work."

The line-up of shows, listed in order by performance date are as follows:

Far From Heaven: Based on the 2002 movie of the same name, Cathay Whitaker strives to be the ideal 1950s housewife. Beneath the surface, her hidden desires cause the world to unravel. Far From Heaven features a book by Richard Greenberg, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie and directed by Matthew White. Casting includes Cory English, Tiffany Graves, Aimee Hodnett, Melanie La Barrie, Ako Mitchell, Bryce Pinkham and Scarlett Strallen.

#50DAYS: Thabo Stucks' debut musical combines grime music and 17th century history, telling the story of how King Charles was formally challenged. In press material, #50DAYS is "an interpretation of British history told through the eyes of underrepresented Brits today." Casting includes Aminita Francis, Nadine-Rose Johnson, Reuben Joseph, Kyran Mitchell-Nanton, Robert Saunders and Cleve September.

Tony! (A Tony Blair Rock Opera): Following I Can't Sing at the London Palladium, Harry Hill returns to musical theatre with a biographical show about the 1990s Labour Prime Minister. Characters will include Cherie Blair, Princess Diana and George W Bush, set to original music and lyrics by Harry Hill and Steve Brown. Casting includes Jenna Boyd, Scott Garnham, Gemma Knight Jones, Marie Lawrence, Simon Lipkin, Nicola Sloane and Paul Thornley.

The Man In the Ceiling: Jules Feiffer and Andrew Lippa collaborate on this brand new musical, following a 12 year old who dreams of being a cartoonist. Working on his craft, Jimmy turns to the man in the ceiling for inspiration, but Jimmy must look up for help. Matthew Croke, Jazz Jenkins, Andrew Lippa and Sharon Rose star. 

Millennials: Luke Sheppard directs Elliot Clay's revue, mixing songs and political commentary in one. The production will see a generation of performers pick up the mic and share their inner thoughts. Luke Bayer, Allie Daniel, Beth Hinton-Lever, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Tim Mahendran, Grace Mouat and Jodie Steele star.

Housefire: Hailed as an eco-rock musical, a trio of endangered animals form a band to sing out against the climate crisis. Entering a televised competition, more people know of them, but it ruins the band's future. Alex Cardall, Eleanor Kane and Robin Simões da Silva will star. 

Cake: Emilia's Morgan Lloyd Malcolm returns with Cake, dramatising the life of Marie Antoinette to rap, rhythm and blues. Drew McOnie directs, with music and lyrics by Jack McManus and Tasha Taylor-Johnson. Casting includes Tori Allen-Martin, Emma Kingston, Phoebe Panaretos and Sebastien Torkia.

Proud: Graham Lappin and Mark Anderson and Lee Freeman's musical replaces Daisy in MTFestUK. Proud follows David, a gay man who discovers a conversion therapy camp. The cast stars Stephen Ashfield, Chris Draper, Jordan Luke Gage, Idriss Kargbo, Freddie King, Rebecca Locke, Carl Man and Nicholas McLean. 

MTFestUK will now take place virtually at the Turbine Theatre from 17-29 May, with a digital tour at five regional theatres from 31 May - 14 July.

^{Photo credit: Artwork of MTFestUK 2021 shows}

^{Article Updated: 12 May 2021}