The new musical has its UK stage premiere next month
Rehearsal photos have been released ahead of the live UK stage premiere of new British musical Before After by Stuart Matthew Price and Timothy Knapman.
The show is a love story about a couple given a second chance at happiness, and its live run follows a previous streamed version from Southwark Playhouse in 2020. It is scheduled to open at Southwark Playhouse Borough (Little) on 9 February, with previews starting from 7 February, and will run until 2 March 2024.
Grace Mouat and Jacob Fowler star in the two roles, directed by the Grey Area’s artistic director Georgie Rankcom. Mouat, known for her roles in Six, & Juliet, Be More Chill and other productions, plays Ami. Jacob Fowler, with credits in Heathers, Dreamboats and Petticoats and more, plays Ben. The duo reunite following their appearance together in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Hope Mill Theatre last year.
The creative team for the production includes musical director Ben McQuigg (He/Him), movement director Tinovimbanashe Sibanda (She/Her), set and costume designer Yimei Zhao (She/Her), lighting designer Alex Musgrave (He/Him), casting director Peter Noden (He/Him), production stage manager Waverley Moran (She/They); artist Jed Berry (He/Him) and photographer Danny Kaan (He/Him).
Rankcom explained: “Before After has a strong cult following across the globe – our rehearsed reading streamed during lockdown reached 44 countries, causing #BeforeAfterUK to trend on Twitter, and led to calls for a fully staged version to follow. A long-running Japanese translation and a successful tour of the Netherlands have given the writers an opportunity to hone the piece over the last few years. We established the Grey Area to support the growth of new musicals, so I can’t wait to bring this show home to the UK in our new production.”
Tickets for Before After are priced at £21/£26.50 (£10/£16 for previews).