Five Reasons To See … Departure Lounge at Waterloo East
Following runs at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and the Summer Play Festival in New York, Dougal Irvine’s musical comedy Departure Lounge comes to London for the first time, opening at the city’s newest off-West end venue; Waterloo East Theatre.
1. Its got a story that’s a bit different from your ‘typical’ musical
Departure Lounge tells the story of four less than innocent 18-year-olds delayed at Malaga Airport after a week in the sun celebrating their graduation from school and reminisce about their trip. Their individual memories of the holiday appear to be at odds, particularly when it comes to romance and the girl on all their minds… Is she as innocent as they believe and will the boys’ friendships hold firm as they all face a coming of age?
2. We have a fantastic cast
Verity Rushworth, who plays Sophie, recently played Penny Pingleton in Hairspray having spent 10 years as Donna Windsor on ITV1’s Emmerdale; Chris Fountain, who plays JB, is best known for playing Justin in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks; Liam Tamne, who plays Jordan, recently appeared in the West End of Hair; Steven Webb, who plays Ross, received an Evening Standard Award nomination for Most Outstanding Newcomer for The Trestle At Pope Lick Creek and Jack Shalloo, who plays Pete, recently appeared in the Edinburgh Fringe hit Hamlet the Musical.
3. Dougal is a fantastic writer
Departure Lounge is Dougal Irvine‘s first musical. It was nominated for all five MTM:UK awards at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival and won the award for Best Music. He was recently the lyricist on the musical Britain’s Got Bhangra which has just completed a UK tour, and his most recent show In Touch which was developed and showcased by Perfect Pitch Musicals, has just been performed at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe by students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
4. We’re playing in a brand new theatre
Waterloo East Theatre has been created by producer Gerald Armin, who out frustration of trying to find a viable and affordable theatre space to take risks on new exciting productions decided to find his own space to do it in. He’s been converting the space since March of this year and the venue was opened to the public on 2 September 2010, a total of six months from start to finish.
5. The show is only on for a limited run!
Departure Lounge has played to sell out audiences in Edinburgh, New York and now London, but we’re only running for five weeks at Waterloo East! Make sure you come and see us before its too late!
Departure Lounge runs at the Waterloo East Theatre from 30 September (previews from 28 September) until 31 October 2010.
