Casting details have been released for a new musical The Unconventionals, which will be performed at The Flair Ground, VAULT Festival from 14-19 February 2023 during LGBTQ+ history month.
The production is a cabaret reworking of Jude Taylor’s musical comedy Is He Musical? which enjoyed successful runs at Curve in Leicester and The Other Palace in London during February 2022.
Loosely based on real historical accounts and resources, The Unconventionals captures the vibrant queer scenes of 1930s London. It centres on Wilfred, one of the “unconventionals” who embarks on a musical dance down memory lane when trapped outside of Heaven (in Charing Cross, that is). Guided by an eccentric old mentor, they start to reflect on the extraordinary experiences of those who laughed, loved and lived through London’s 1930s queer scene.
Elliot Wooster will star as Wilfred; Francesca Fenech and Barry O’Reilly, reunited from the original Is He Musical? cast, will play the eccentric Lady Lavender and hopelessly romantic Laurence, respectively; and Tamara Morgan as charming actress Daphne.
It will be directed by Matt Powell in collaboration with Chromatic Creative, a theatre company supporting LGBTQ+ artists working in musical theatre.
Writer and composer Jude Taylor said: “After the sad cancellation of VAULT Festival in 2022, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring The Unconventionals to this year’s VAULT Festival. We hope audiences will enjoy engaging with this story in its new cabaret form and that they are excited to learn about this often neglected era of LGBTQ+ history.”
Words by Katie Heyes
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