If it isn’t exciting enough that the Fats Waller musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ is being revived at Southwark Playhouse from 19 April to 1 June 2019, following its premiere at Mercury Theatre Colchester from 15-30 March, just look which artists are making their debuts as director and theatre choreographer. It’s only Tyrone Huntley and Strictly’s Oti Mabuse. We think the joint is going to be jumpin!
Celebrating the legendary jazz musician Waller and his energetic, exuberant and effervescent music, Ain’t Misbehavin’ steps back into the 1920s and the raunchy nightclubs of Manhattan. An extraordinary group of performers go on a journey through a defining period of American musical history, the Harlem Renaissance – where musicians were free to experiment with new styles, and joints were jumpin’ with talented dancers, singers and instrumentalists jamming to a new beat known as swing.
Tyrone Huntley is best known for his acclaimed performance as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, for which he won the Evening Standard Theatre Award and received an Olivier Award nomination. Huntley is soon to appear in Leave to Remain at the Lyric Hammersmith with other performing credits including Angry (Southwark Playhouse) and Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre).
Oti Mabuse, making her debut as a theatre choreographer, is best known as a professional dancer on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2015. She is also an eight-time South African Latin American Champion and one of the most successful South African dancers in the world. Mabuse is currently a Dance Captain and Mentor on BBC1’s new Saturday night dance and entertainment show The Greatest Dancer.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ is presented by Paul Taylor-Mills and Mercury Theatre Colchester in association with Tamasha Theatre Company. Casting and further creative team details are to be announced.
