Robyn Grant News

The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments today announce West End Musical Director Gareth Valentine as the final judge for the 2019 Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY), alongside the previously announced Julia McKenzie, Peter Polycarpou, and Edward Seckerson. Lyricist Charles Hart and Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell join Nkeki Obi-Melekwe and Stiles + Drewe to complete the judging panel for the Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize. Winners will be announced at Theatre Royal Haymarket on Sunday 9 June.

Fat Rascal Theatre has announced the cast of the UK tour of their hit Edinburgh show Vulvarine, which tours through Spring 2019.

Ground-breaking new musical theatre event SIGNAL is taking over The Hospital Club's Oak Room for the fourth time. This free concert showcases some of the best and boldest new British musical theatre and since its first incarnation last December has presented over fifty world premieres of new musical theatre songs. Helped by a selection of West End performers and accompanied by a live house band, SIGNAL looks to showcase the breadth and talent of those currently developing new British musical theatre.

What would happen if instead of Belle, there was Beau, Gaston was transformed into Chevonne, and the Beast wore a velvet corset? Fat Rascal Theatre gender-swap the classic fairytale and transform it into a hysterical and fast-paced musical.

She's grotesque. A possessive beast of a woman, to be sure. But look on the bright side, Beau: she's got a lovely personality. Somewhere. Under all the fur.

Robyn Grant is a writer and performer. She is also the Artistic Director of Fat Rascal Theatre, a company whose aim is to create feminist musical theatre. She's embarking on a new journey with Beauty & the Beast, her reimagined and gender-swapped musical inspired from the classic tale.

She's grotesque. A possessive beast of a woman, to be sure. But look on the bright side, Beau: she's got a lovely personality. Somewhere. Under all the fur.