From Page to Stage festival casting announced

The From Page to Stage Summer Festival, running at The Other Palace for three weeks from 14 August, has today announced casting for its main house productions, staged readings and showcases.

Opening the festival on the Monday 14 August is the Song Writers Showcase in the studio space, directed by Kolja Schallenberg. Featuring songs from musicals from around the world, the evening will also embrace different genres as it kicks off a densely packed season at the venue.

XY, with book, lyrics and music from Oliver Houser and direction from Tania Azevedo, will have staged readings from 15 to 17 August. The cast includes Miiko Toivianen, Gemma Sutton (Strictly Ballroom, The Go-Between), Miranda Wilford (Thriller), Matilda Shapland (Matilda, Les Miserables) and Max Reader (Les Miserables). Finnish born Toivianen, a trans performer, will be making his professional debut in the piece, discussing issues of corrective surgeries on intersex infants.

The following week sees a staged reading of Christopher Dickins, Tom Wright and Jacquelyn Hynes’ Rebel Song, formerly nominated for the Stiles & Drewe Best Song prize. Against the backdrop of the 1916 Easter Rising, the musical, directed by Bronagh Lagan with musical direction from Mike Turnbull, is adapted from Jamie O’Neill’s 2001 novel At Swim, Two Boys. Casting includes Rob Houchen (Les Miserables), Barry Keenan (A Christmas Carol), Clodagh Long (The Commitments), Gemma Maclean (High Society), Sandy Walsh (Art Sung), Cornelius Clarke (Guys and Dolls), Dominic Brewer (Dracula) and Alan McHale (Pirates Of Penzance).

The festival will also have a repertory company attached to the four showcase musicals and family shows, with casting for that to be announced.

Owner of The Other Palace Andrew Lloyd Webber says: "I am thrilled that Katy Lipson is bringing From Page to Stage to The Other Palace, in August. It buoys my hope that The Other Palace will become a breeding ground for new musicals and a genuine hub for anyone interested in musical theatre."

From Page to Stage Summer Festival will run at The Other Palace from Monday 14 August to Sunday 3 September.