New queer musical POLLY: A 21st CENTURY LOVE STORY debuts at The Other Palace
A joyful, contemporary new musical with romance on its own terms, Polly: A 21st Century Love Story lands at The Other Palace Studio for a spectacular one-night showcase on 18 February.
Part romantic comedy, part act of rebellion, this exciting new musical asks who gets to feel “appropriate” in family spaces, and what happens when queer people stop playing along with societies set rules.
The story begins like a classic rom-com: popcorn, sparks, and an ill-timed run-in with an old flame. But when Polly, a plus-sized, polyamorous northerner living in London, receives a wedding invite from her cousin Luke, the fantasy collides with reality. With family expectations closing in and a long-standing assumption that her boyfriend will be on her arm, Polly decides to stop editing herself and bring her girlfriend instead.
This cast features Natalie Durkin (Wuthering Hearts, A Studio Digital) as Polly, with Aaron Lee Lambert (Evita, West End) as Adam, Mark Anderson (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, West End) as Harry, Adam Colbeck Dunn (Les Misérables, West End) as Luke, Molly Lynch (The Sound of Music, Curve) as Emily, Claudia Kariuki (SIX, West End) as Jen, Martin Callaghan (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK tour) as David, and Daniele Coombe (La Cage Aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) as Tina.
Written by Natalie Durkin, with music and lyrics by Joe Tapper, direction by Amy Anders Corcoran, and musical direction by Jordan Paul Clarke, Polly is a one-off musical workshop designed to introduce the piece to industry professionals, producers and the community Polly is a part of, as the team develops the show towards its next life. The workshop uses humour to interrogate authenticity, love and the politics of being seen.
Writers Natalie Durkin and Joe Tapper said: “Dirks and Tapper can’t wait to workshop the musical with this phenomenal cast and creative team, and to keep building a show that feels representative, inclusive, and truly joyful. We’re so excited to finally play and explore a show we’ve poured our sweat, tears, and a lot of love into and share it with a room full of wildly talented people.”
For more info on Polly: A 21st Century Love Story, please click here.
