Musical inspired by Hampstead Heath Ladies Ponds protests to have workshop run next month – with cast revealed

Exclusive: A new LGBTQIA+ musical inspired by protests surrounding gender inclusion at Hampstead Heath Ladies Ponds will receive a workshop performance at King’s Head Theatre this June.

May Day will run as part of the venue’s LATER programme. The musical follows Rae, a water sprite turned human, who arrives in a world they do not understand and must protect the Heath from an ancient fire while navigating questions of gender, protest and belonging.

Jo Foster will lead the cast as Rae, joined by Tylan Grant as Billy, Gracie McGonigal, Joni Ayton-Kent and Dillon Scott-Lewis.

The production was previously developed under the title Like a Rat following a sell-out work-in-progress run in 2025. It has been conceived and directed by Millie Foy and Molly Stacey, with a book by non-binary writing duo Pound Puppy, comprising Barney Doran and Anna Fenton-Garvey. Music and lyrics are by Sam Woof.

In a statement, co-director Foy said the musical uses “myth and magical realism” to explore “the policing of safe spaces and how that intersects specifically with gender”, while Stacey described the production as “stacked with trans talent across a majority trans cast and creative team”.

The creative team also includes co-orchestration, musical direction and supervision by Livi van Warmelo, co-orchestration and track production by Rudy Percival, choreography by Rhys Wilkinson, sound design by Pierre Flasse, lighting concept design by Amy Daniels, sound no. 1 by Myra Bente and show operation by Sofia Zaragoza.

Performances will take place at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington from 17 to 21 June, with a captioned performance scheduled for 20 June.