Theatre News

The Company take to Lowry stage in Parade

Acclaimed national youth music theatre ‘The Company’ are to bring Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown’s Tony Award winning musical Parade to the Lowry, later this month. 

Following an intensive audition process in London and Manchester, hundreds of hopefuls from across the UK have been whittled down to the final cast. They include Andrew Bateup, Stewart Clarke and Manchester’s  Sam Pope will be playing Judge Roan, Leo Frank and Frankie Epps.

Andrew, Stewart and Sam will take part in a 10 day residential workshop and rehearsal period under the direction of  Caroline Leslie, who is currently directing at the National Theatre, and a team of professionals including a Choreographer and Musical Director before taking to the Lowry’s Quays Theatre stage for the performances on Fri 27 & Sat 28 August.

Parade, set in 1913, is based on the true hard-hitting and emotional story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jew living in Georgia, who is accused and put on trial for raping and murdering one of his factory employees, 13-year-old Mary Phagan. In a time when white Christian supremacy ruled, Parade details the story of a man hated by the public and already seen as guilty in their eyes along with the media uproar surrounding his trial. With a wife dedicated to proving him innocent, the musical shows the power of love and hope, even in uncertain times.
 
Stewart Clarke, aged 19 who is to play the lead role of Leo Frank said “The Company has been fantastic for my development as a performer – the creative team are truly world class, giving everyone the attention they deserve to help them fashion fantastic performances on stage. Their choice of shows is also outstanding, picking up on challenging, exciting musicals for young people to tackle!”

Parade runs at the Lowry from 27 – 28 August at the Lowry and stalls tickets have already sold out. For more details, please click here.