Mountview Alumni News March 2022

The new trailer for fan-favourite TV series Derry Girls dropped this month, featuring grad Louisa Harland.

Also on our small screens, Nicôle Lecky featured in Variety‘s list of 10 European’s to Watch in Television in 2022.

Screen Rats, a screening of new short films by up-and-coming local artists, featured two films with alumni Finella Waddilove, Troy Alexander and Hannah May Jessop.

Taya Ming starred as Hero in Royal Shakespeare Company’s Much Ado About Nothing, soon to be broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer.

Shahbaaz Khan also took on Shakespeare this month, playing Malcolm in Macbeth at Leeds Playhouse.

Photo by Kirsten McTernan

Meanwhile, Tashinga Bepete starred as Ferdinand in The Tempest at The Pleasance.

Aimee Olivia wrote and performed a piece for Stories from the Nest, an all-female showcase by Poppa’most Theatre Company.

New verbatim musical Little Sausage, produced by Tanya Truman, opened at The Other Palace Studio.

Elsewhere, directed by Heather O’Sullivan and starring fellow MA Acting grad Sophia Hirsch, TwoFace performed at Camden People’s Theatre.

Also at Camden People’s Theatre, BEG FOR ME was co-produced and performed by Alex Conder.

George Lennan’s one woman drag show Who’s That Girl hit the stage at The Bridge House Theatre.

Francesca Mai started rehearsals for The Globe’s Much Ado About Nothing, as Assistant Stage Manager.

The Witches of Eastwick

It was announced that The Witches of Eastwick is to return to the West End in a concert production starring alum and Deputy Chair Giles Terera.

In further casting news in March, Lauren Drew and Allie Daniel were announced in the cast of Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Emma Kingston and Lara Denning joined the cast of Carousel at Kilworth House Theatre, also featuring new orchestrations from George Dyer.

Opening at the London Coliseum this summer, My Fair Lady will feature Jordan Crouch, Charlotte Kennedy and Tom Liggins. 

Great British Bake Off – the Musical revealed the cast for their world premiere this month, including Scott Paige, Simbi Akande and Catriana Sandison.

Nathan Banks, Evangeline Dickson, Jamie Piggot and Ash Weir joined fellow grads Paul Croft, Harry Pudwell and Imelda Warren-Green in the immersive production, Doctor Who: Time Fracture. 

Maisey Bawden and Tim Jackson were named in the Creative Leadership Team of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.

Lawryn LaCroix

Meanwhile, producer and playwright Lawryn LaCroix was named amongst the Broadway Women’s Fund’s Women to Watch on Broadway

Debbi Clarke joined Jordan Luke Gage, Cleve September and Katy Richardson in the company of Bonnie and Clyde, as Assistant Musical Director.

At the Olivier Awards, Michael Longhurst was nominated for Best Director.

Coming up in April

Déja J. Bowens joins the cast of Marys Seacole at Donmar Warehouse, opening 15 April.

Created by MA Musical Theatre graduates, Catapult Theatre London will stage their first Catapult Cabaret at The Glory on 14 April, with MA Musical Direction alum Jack Breeze on the keys.

Produced by alum Matilda Wilde, BULL makes its North-West professional debut from 20 – 23 April at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse. 

Opening early April, the UK tour of Rapunzel stars Emma Marsh and Scott Howlett. 

Persuasion, featuring MA Acting grad Adam Deary, transfers to Alexandra Palace Theatre from 7 April.