Original Loserville Cast Re-Unite for Charity Concert

Original Loserville Cast Re-Unite for Charity Concert

LOSERVILLE, the West end musical is back at Garrick Theatre for one day only on Sunday 28 January 2018 as a charity concert in aid of both the Maytree Respite Centre and Youth Music Theatre UK’s student Bursary Fund. The British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne, received its London premiere at the Garrick Theatre over 5 years ago in 2012, following a successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. In 2013 it was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Since then it has received several off West End productions and numerous amateur and college productions in the UK and the US.

LOSERVILLE will star the original West End cast and will be supported by an ensemble of Youth Music Theatre UK’s original 2009 youth cast. WEST END CAST: Aaron Sidwell as Michael, Eliza Hope Bennett as Holly, Stewart Clarke as Eddie, Charlotte Harwood as Leia, Richard Lowe as Lucas, and Daniel Buckley as Marvin, with Jade Albertsen, Sophie Ayers, Laura Bennett, Robbie Boyle, Matthew Bradley, Olly Buxton, Andrew Carthy, Freya Field, Daniel Hall, Lauren Hall, Ollie Hannifan, Dan Krikler, Duncan Leighton, Ashley Luke Lloyd, Megan Louch, Andy Shaw, Sarah Watson, Witney White.

Loserville was originally commissioned by Youth Music Theatre UK in 2009 and performed by a cast drawn from its UK National Auditions at the South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell in August 2009. The original amateur production was directed by Steven Dexter, choreographed by Nick Winston and musically supervised by Martin Lowe. The rights were subsequently assigned to a commercial producing team and it opened at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in May 2012 before transferring to the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End. .

The role of Francis was originally played in the West End by singer/actor Lil’ Chris – Chris Hardman. Two years after Loserville closed in the West End Chris sadly took his life after a long period of struggling with depression. Chris’ family have welcomed this one off charitable concert and want proceeds to go to charities that support people in the midst of suicidal crises by providing an opportunity to rest and reflect in a calm safe and relaxed environment. And they wanted to support young performers from less well-off families who could take advantage of the creative possibilities of arts charities like Youth Music Theatre UK.

Elliot Davis said “Lil Chris' passing affected the whole of the Loserville family. Music played a central role in Chris' life and that passion was so apparent when he first appeared in Loserville playing the role of Francis. His enthusiasm for the show at its early stages was infectious. It is wonderful to have this one-off concert of Loserville in memoriam for Chris and in support of Maytree - A Sanctuary For The Suicidal. I personally volunteered at Maytree for over a year and I know first hand the wonderful work that takes place at the organisation and the effect it has on those in need of being heard. 

James Bourne said “Having the original West End Loserville cast come back together in memory of Chris Hardman is as unique as it is special. It’s going to be a great night and the energy will be extreme!’