He broke records as the longest-running West End star as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. Now Ryan Molloy helps premiere a new British rock musicals about stars whose careers are cut short... at the age of 27. Cassie Compton, Greg Oliver and Jack Donnelly join him in 27, directed by Arlene Phillips at the Cockpit Theatre in September...
Ryan Molloy, Cassie Compton, Greg Oliver and Jack Donnelly are to star in the world premiere of the new British rock musical 27, which runs from Thursday 8 September to Saturday 22 October 2016 in a six-week season at London’s 170-seat Cockpit Theatre. Press night is Monday 12 September at 7.30pm.
Directed by world renowned director/choreographer Arlene Phillips, 27 is an intoxicating modern fable of our time, a dark interpretation of one of humanity’s oldest stories. It has music, book and lyrics and is co-directed by Sam Cassidy.
Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain, Morrison and Winehouse: all music legends whose lives were tragically cut short at 27. Orpheus is a would-be rock star turned icon whose experiences of fame and notoriety lead him on a journey of unstoppable self-destruction. Another name for the list. At the tender age of 27. Another star, extinguished… 27, featuring 13 musical numbers and a cast of 15, is a shattering exploration of the fragility of life and the unwitting connections that bind us together. With original lyrics and score, this rock musical serves up songs to die for and killer guitar riffs and will take you somewhere you probably didn’t think existed anymore.
Ryan Molloy holds the record as the longest-running star of a West End musical as Frankie Vallie in Jersey Boys for six years. He also played the role on Broadway. He was Horace in the musical Fings Ain’t Wot They Used to Be at Theatre Royal Stratford East, played Tremont ‘Chick With A Dick’ in Jerry Springer the Opera, Steve Strange in Taboo, Judas in Godspell, and Ozzie in On the Town (at the ENO).
Cassie Compton was Jean in the world premiere of American Psycho at the Almeida; Nessarose in Wicked and Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing, both in the West End.
Greg Oliver played Moritz in the musical Spring Awakening, Wolf in After the Turn and Kyle in the world premiere of The Prodigals. As a singer, he records as Revilo and he’s also in two other bands, HENRIETTA and Beauty School Dropout.
Jack Donnelly is best known for starring as Jason in Atlantis on BBC1. He was also in Misfits and two series of Threesome. On stage he was in Accomplice at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
Other cast features: Lucy Martin (Jersey Boys, West End); Ryan Gibb (The Committments, West End, Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour); Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages, West End, Nancy, Oliver!, Grange Park Opera); Maisie Bawden (The Sound of Music Live, ITV1, The Tempest, Shakespeare’s Globe); Eloise Davies (Bad Girls the Musical, Union); Collette Guitart, Emily Kenwright, Sophie Ayers (We Will Rock You & Looserville, West End); Anthony Selwyn (Hairspray, UK tour); Jason Kajdi, Kristian Cunningham.
