Imogen to rock the boat in ‘wild’ new musical set out at sea
Bath actor and singer Imogen Davis will be centre stage of a UK premiere production of a “wild” rock musical.
The third-year students at University Centre Weston’s Academy of Performing Arts will present Experience Marianas to an audience at the Tropicana on Marine Parade in Weston-super-mare.
Kyle Davies, who is from Apple Valley, Minnesota, and who runs the academy’s Musical Theatre Programme, said: “We have a cohort that is incredibly strong, Imogen included. The students are going to knock this out of the park.”
The musical is written by Broadway
writing team composer and lyricist Rob Rokicki and dramatist Sarah-beth Pfeifer.
Sarah-beth said: “The piece is a high-octane, darkly comedic examination of systems of control and how we struggle to define our identities within them.
“Experience Marianas is an exciting rock musical adventure about one woman’s journey to escape an oceanic cult. How appropriate to be staging it right by the sea!”
The show follows the elders of the cult and their new followers aboard a ship, and is performed ‘in the round’ to make the audience feel like they are being recruited and brainwashed too.
Sarah-beth added: “The story is full of darkly comedic twists and turns and we can’t wait to share this piece in its UK debut, and we hope you’ll join us for a wild night at the theatre!”
Kyle said: “This is an ambitious project but we’re completely confident that we’re going to create an incredible night of theatre.”
Award-winning performer Imogen, from Odd Down, will star in the role of ‘Purple,’ one of the elders of the cult. The part requires an actress with a high ‘mixed’ voice and the ability to belt out songs.
Imogen is a former member of
Bath Operatic Dramatic Society, Bath Light Operatic Group and recently won a Rose Bowl award for pantomime directing with St Philip’s and St James’ Drama Group based in Odd Down, Bath.
Rob and Sarah-beth will be travelling from New York to develop the show with the students alongside West End director Grace Taylor.
Four show songs are on the album “True Believer” featuring Rob and Sarah-beth on Amazon Music and Spotify.
Experience Marianas is being staged on December 8 and 9, at 7.30pm. Obtain tickets (£12/£8) at www.eventbrite.co.uk.