Rock musical Myth: The Rise and Fall of Orpheus, directed by Arlene Phillips and written by Sam Cassidy, will have 9 concert-style workshop performances at The Other Palace from Saturday 10 – Saturday 17 March 2018. The production will be semi-staged and performed by a live 6-piece band.
The show, previously called 27, returns to London with a new title, a revised book and new songs.
Arlene Phillips said: “We were inspired by the recent workshop performances of Andrew Lloyd Webbers Starlight Express and believed this method of presentation would be invaluable to the development of Myth: The Rise and Fall of Orpheus.”
Sam Cassidy said: “It’s true that musicals are not written, but rather rewritten, and this is a fantastic opportunity. In 2016, we opened a completely new British rock musical and enjoyed a very successful 6-week season at the 170-seat Cockpit Theatre. We had great audiences, with many people seeing it more than once, but we were not completely happy with elements of the production. I’ve since looked at the book, revised the storyline, dropped some songs and added new ones. This latest run will give us the chance to see how this new version works with the chance for audiences to give us feedback.”
Myth: The Rise and Fall of Orpheus is a modern retelling of the Ancient Greek tale of Orpheus and the underworld, looking at mental illness and addiction in society and more specifically the rock music business, with a storyline with echoes of the tragically short lives of some of music’s brightest stars, including Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse.
Myth: The Rise and Fall of Orpheus is a show that’ll break your heart, make you laugh and rock you to your very core.
Cast and full creative team to be announced.
Arlene Phillips (Director)
Arlene Phillips is a showbiz legend honoured as a CBE for her services to dance; she has worked with stars from film and TV, to theatre and arenas, as well as becoming one of Britain’s favourite television judges. Her credits as director: Saturday Night Fever, international productions of Starlight Express, US tours of Joseph and Jesus Christ Superstar, Lord of the Dance, The Songbook of Judy Garland, Brazouka, Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Manchester XVII Commonwealth Games. As choreographer: Jackie The Musical, Starlight Express, Wizard of Oz, Flashdance, The Sound of Music, Grease, We Will Rock You, Saturday Night Fever, Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, EFX at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
Sam Cassidy (Music, Book and Lyrics)
Sam Cassidy is primarily known as an actor, having performed in musicals before transitioning into television. However, with a burning passion for music, he never could kick his musical theatre itch – but for Sam, it was all about creating new exciting theatre that challenged the status quo of what musicals should be. Myth: The Rise and Fall of Orpheus may be the first show Sam has put out into the world, but it is by no means the last.
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