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Vanara – The Legend musical world premiere – first look

The epic fantastical musical is playing now

Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Chris George (Lordu)
Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Chris George (Lordu)
© Jane Hobson

Production images have been released for Vanara – The Legend – a new musical opening at Hackney Empire.

Appearing in the show are Jacob Fowler, Glenn Carter, Johnnie Fiori, Carole Stennett, Cavin Cornwall and Emily Bautista, who will be making her London debut after appearing in Les Misérables on Broadway.

Also in the cast are Samantha Mercer, Kayleigh McKnight, Joaquin Pedro Valdes and Shem Omari James. The production will also feature an ensemble composed of Jemima Brown, Chris George, Yuki Abe, Olivia Jones, Ella Martine, HIcaro Nicolai, Prem Rai, and Ebby Sama.

With a score by Gianluca Cucchiara, lyrics by Andrew James Whelan, and book by Michael Conley, the piece is set "on another earth in another time" and follows two tribes battling it out as disaster threatens to destroy their planet. The production will be co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who will also take on the roles of dramaturg and choreographer, respectively. Joining them on the creative team are set and costume designer Libby Todd, musical director Tamara Saringer, orchestrator Jen Green, casting director Harry Blumenau and producers Giovanna Romagnoli and Gianluca Cucchiara.

Kayleigh McKnight, Shem Omari James and Samantha Mercer
Kayleigh McKnight, Shem Omari James and Samantha Mercer
© Jane Hobson
Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Cavin Cornwa
Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Cavin Cornwa
© Jane Hobson
Prem Rai (Ensemble) and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh)
Prem Rai (Ensemble) and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh)
© Jane Hobson
Emily Bautista (Ayla)
Emily Bautista (Ayla)
© Jane Hobson

Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Carole Stennett (Tonah)
Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Carole Stennett (Tonah)
© Jane Hobson
Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Jacob Fowler (Mohr)
Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Jacob Fowler (Mohr)
© Jane Hobson
Full company
Full company
© Jane Hobson
Full company
Full company
© Jane Hobson
Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah)
Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah)
© Jane Hobson

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