James Gillan and Paul Spicer Headline THE 8TH FOLD World Premiere Concert at the Duchess Tonight

The brand new British born musical The 8th Fold will receive its world premiere in a specially conceived concert staging headlined by West End stars James Gillan (Wicked, Taboo) and Paul Spicer (Avenue Q, The Last 5 Years) at the Duchess Theatre tonight 10th November.

Poignantly timed to take place on Remembrance Sunday, The 8th Fold is a musical about loss, learning, and new beginnings. Set in the recent past, and rooted in the American War on Terror, it tells the story of four boys ravaged by grief and the steps they take towards a brave new start. Over the course of a single year, it celebrates friendship, remembrance, and hope for the future.

The principal cast - with further stars to be announced - are supported by an ensemble of the best emerging talent and newcomers, comprising Sharif Afifi (RENT, Greenwich Theatre), Alex Beaumont, Will Bradnam (RENT, Cockpit Theatre), Dario Cacioppo, Nathan Lodge (Back to the Musicals, Scott Alan & Friends) and Matthew Maguire, all of whom are captured in this atmospheric silhouette shot by West End photographer, Darren Bell.

The 8th Fold has music and lyrics by Gianni Onori, and book by Ava Eldred and Gianni Onori. It is produced by Neil Eckersley & Ava Eldred for Speckulation Entertainment, with direction by Jennifer Farrell and Raymond Tait and musical direction by Angharad Sanders.

THE 8TH FOLD will play New Derwent House. Tickets: £8.00 - £25.00 / Premium Seats: £35.00. Box Office: 0844 412 4659 (24 hrs) www.the8thfold.co.uk.

James Gillan @JamesGillan8 - James Gillan was born in Glasgow and trained at ArtsEd in London. Theatre credits include: Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Aberystwyth Arts Centre); Boq in Wicked (Apollo Victoria); Peter Pan (West Yorkshire Playhouse & Royal Festival Hall); Pippin (Bridewell); James and the Giant Peach (UK Tour); Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria & UK Tour); Taboo (UK Tour); Tommy (Shaftesbury Theatre); Antony & Cleopatra and Julius Caeser (Shakespeare's Globe); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (UK Tour); and Godspell (Chichester Festival Theatre). TV Credits include: Doctors; 'Orrible; and Seven Wonders of the Industrial World (all BBC). James has also released a self-titled solo album.

Paul Spicer @MrPaulSpicer - Paul Spicer was born in Southend and trained at ArtsEd in London. Theatre credits include: Princeton / Rod in the final cast of Cameron Mackintosh's London production of Avenue Q (Gielgud & Wyndhams); Jamie in The Last 5 Years (Duchess & Theatre Royal Haymarket); Toby in Sweeney Todd (Gothenburg Opera); Saturday Night Fever (UK Tour); Taboo (UK Tour & The Venue); Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (UK Tour); Sleeping Beauty (Nottingham Playhouse); Fame (UK Tour); and The Witches of Eastwick (Prince of Wales). Radio includes: Friday Night is Music Night (BBC Radio 2). In addition to his performing credits, Paul is Executive Producer for Stage Acts Entertainment and Creative Producer to up and coming British singer / songwriter Portia Emare.

Sharif Afifi @SharifAfifi - Sharif trained at the Hammond School of Dance, graduating in 2011. Theatre credits include: Prince Charming in Cinderella (Broadway Theatre, Barking); RENT (Greenwich Theatre); and understudy Amos Hart in Chicago (Royal Carribbean). Workshops include: Kane in The 8th Fold (London Bubble).

Alex Beaumont @_AlexBeaumont - Alex trained at the Arden School of Theatre, graduating in 2010. Theatre credits include: Ben Travers in Being Ivor; Tin Man in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Clinton Blake in Mile High The Musical; ensemble in One Touch of Venus; and Prince Valentine in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Workshops include: Russ in The 8th Fold (London Bubble). @Willym1891

Will Bradnam - Will trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in 2012. Theatre credits include: Mark in RENT (Cockpit Theatre); March Hare in Alice in Wonderland (Garrick Theatre, Lichfield); and Leo in Mile High The Musical (Lost Theatre). Workshops include: Memory / Swing in The 8th Fold (London Bubble).

Dario Cacioppo @Dario_ccpp - Dario trained at the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts. Theatre credits include: Billy / Bud / Vocalist in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (Insideout Productions); featured vocalist in A Song and a Sip (Insideout Productions); Sophia (Chris) in Scene of the Titans (Edinburgh Fringe); La Boheme (Scottish Opera); and Dancer in Intermezzo (Scottish Opera). Radio Credits include: Robert in The Victorians; Magnus in The Vikings; and William in Sustainability (all BBC Radio Scotland). Workshops include: Calum in The 8th Fold (London Bubble). CONTACT

Nathan Lodge, @NathanJLodge - Nathan trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in 2013. Theatre credits include: Ben in Ushers: The Front of House Musical (Search for a Twitter Composer, Soho Theatre); featured vocalist in Back to the Musicals (Pheasantry); Peter Pan in Peter Pan (Southern Tour). Nathan is also featured on the cast recording for Ushers: The Front of House Musical, and has featured as a dancer on BBC's The One Show.

Matthew Maguire, @_mattmaguire - Matthew trained at the Liverpool Theatre School. Credits whilst training include: Yasha in The Cherry Orchard; Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream; Jerry in The Good Companion and The Parsee Man in Just So. Film credits include: The Monuments Men with George Clooney. Workshop credits include: Swing / Memory in The 8th Fold (London Bubble).

THE WRITERS:

Gianni Onori - Gianni trained at the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts. Writing credits include: Between The Lines, a musical theatre collection with Matthew Gregory which was performed in two sell out concerts at the Union Theatre; Honest, a singer / songwriter collection also at the Union Theatre, and The 8th Fold. Current projects include: Homosuperior, a singer / songwriter collection inspired by Marvel comic book characters; and Queen of Scots, a new musical following the tragic journey of Mary Stewart, Queen of Scotland.

Ava Eldred @likealullaby - Ava is a writer and producer. The 8th Fold is her first musical. Production credits include: The 8th Fold (Duchess Theatre, Producer); If It Only Even Runs A Minute: London Edition 3 (London Hippodrome, Associate Producer); Liza (on an E) (UK Tour & West End, Assistant Producer); Telly Leung: Live in London (London Hippodrome, Producer); Sherie Rene Scott: Piece of Meat (London Hippodrome, Assistant Producer); and Idina Menzel (Apollo & UK Tour, Assistant Producer). Ava writes for various online theatre outlets, as well as writing her own blog.

Pictured: The Ensemble of The 8th Fold (left to right): Sharif Afifi, Nathan Lodge, Matthew Maguire, Alex Beaumont, Dario Cacioppo & Will Bradnam. Photo Credit: Darren Bell.

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