New musical 'Babies' to open at London's The Other Palace

Jack Godfrey and Martha Geelan's new musical follows nine classmates who are tasked with keeping a fake baby alive after a rise in teen pregnancies at the school.

New, British, coming-of-age musical Babies is set to open at London's The Other Palace on 31 May.

The musical, which has music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey and a book by Martha Geelan, follows nine classmates in Year 11 who are given the task of keeping a fake baby alive for an entire week after a rise in teen pregnancies in the year above starts to concern the school. Geelan also directs.

The cast for this musical about identity, friendship, and growing up includes Ashley Goh (Alex), Bradley Riches (Toby), Grace Towning (Cover Leah/Grace/Becky), Jaina Brock-Patel (Becky), Lauren Conroy (Jasmine), Lucy Carter (Lulu), Max Mulrenan (Ben), Morgan Philips (Alternate Toby, Cover Jacob/Ben), Nathan Johnston (Jacob), Rowan MacPherson (Cover Jasmine/Alex/Lulu), Viola Maisey (Grace), and Zoe Athena (Leah).

The musical's journey started in early 2021 when the writers submitted one of the songs titled Hot Dad to British Youth Music Theatre for inclusion in the New Music Theatre Award, which it went on to win. Godfrey and Geelan were commissioned to finish the musical in preparation for an initial run at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, where it played three performances. Development workshops were held in 2022 and 2023 prior to an appearance at West End Live and a series of concerts at the Lyric Theatre in November 2023.

Writers Godfrey and Geelan said: “We feel very proud and excited to be part of the impressive wave of new musicals in the West End this year. Babies is about what it is to be young right now, what it is to be questioning the future, how it feels to try and get everything right. We hope it speaks to audiences of all ages; all lived experiences. We hope there’s something in there for everyone.”

The rest of the creative team includes Joe Beighton (Orchestrations, Vocal Arrangements & Music Supervisor), Alexzandra Sarmiento (Choreographer), Jasmine Swan (Set & Costume Designer), Paul Gatehouse (Sound Designer), Will Hayman (Lighting Designer), Lauren Hopkinson (Musical Director), Molly Stacey (Associate Director), Martyn Sands (Production Manager), and Sarah Booth (Props & Costume Supervisor).

Babies will play a strictly limited six-week season at The Other Palace from 31 May – 14 July.

Book Babies tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Babies artwork. (Photo courtesy of production)