Cardboard Citizens Announces Casting for THE RUFF TUFF CREAM PUFF ESTATE AGENCY
The production runs at Belgrade Theatre from 9-16 October.
Cardboard Citizens has announced full casting for the world premiere of its electrifying new musical, The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency, running at Belgrade Theatre from 9-16 October (press night: 12 October), in co-production with Belgrade Theatre and Coventry UK City of Culture.
The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency is a feel-good musical about community and DIY activism from the 1970s, based on an original work by the late activist, poet and playwright, Heathcote Williams. It tells the true story of a group of revolutionaries, artists and free-thinkers who created the world's first estate agency for squatters, offering free housing for anyone in need, and founded their own 1.8-acre microstate called 'The Free and Independent Republic of Frestonia' in Notting Hill in 1977. Now reimagined as a musical in Cardboard Citizens' 30th anniversary year, The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency, is directed by the Company's founding Artistic Director, Adrian Jackson, written by Coventry-born playwright, Sarah Woods, with music by former lead guitarist of the ground-breaking collective Chumbawamba, Boff Whalley.
The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency forms part of Coventry City of Culture's arts and homelessness festival, Home which runs from 8 - 16 October 2021 (coinciding with World Homeless Day on 10th October). The first of its kind in Coventry, the festival marks a week-long celebration of arts and homelessness projects in Coventry made by people who have lived experience of homelessness.
The eight-strong cast announced today is: Hannah Azuonye, Matt Burns, Hollie Cassar, Wesley Charles, Daisy Ann Fletcher, Benji Lord, Joseph Tweedale and Sarah Workman.
Joseph Tweedale plays John "Mad Dog" Sky, founder of The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency, the world's first estate agency for squatters. Friends and bandmates, Lu (Daisy Ann Fletcher) and Ally (Hannah Azuonye), are both new to the world of squatting and have turned up at the agency looking for somewhere to live and rehearse. Lu has hitchhiked down from Coventry trying to escape a difficult past for the bright lights of the city where punk is taking hold and everyone knows someone in a band. Luckily their list of options has exploded thanks to Dave (Benji Lord) who works in the Housing Department at Hammersmith Town Hall and moonlights at the agency sharing the inside-track on available properties. The nation is in the grip of a housing crisis, and more than ten thousand people are sleeping rough on the streets of London every night. The Ruff Tuff phoneline, manned by Cheffie (Sarah Workman) and Cliff (Wesley Charles), rings day and night. The system is broken and a revolution is needed. Together with John, Alan (Matt Burns) and Rosie (Hollie Cassar) have had an idea that will make headlines and history: they're going to turn their west London neighbourhood into a brand new nation.
Adrian Jackson, director of The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency, said: "It's so exciting to be telling the story of Frestonia with a super-talented cast. We need these stories of community and resilience as we emerge from this terrible time - art and activism really can change the world".
Joining the cast of The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency is a brand new choir uniting local people with lived experience of homelessness formed in partnership with The Choir with No Name. Cardboard Citizens has been working in Coventry since March, and half of the community chorus were participants in its Cardboard Camps residency at Belgrade Theatre.
The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency is co-produced by Cardboard Citizens, Coventry UK City of Culture, and Belgrade Theatre. It is directed by Adrian Jackson, with book and lyrics by Sarah Woods, music by Boff Whalley, based on an original work by Heathcote Williams. The production is designed by Ruth Sutcliffe, with lighting by Emma Chapman, sound by Chris Murray and choreography by Mark Smith. The Musical Director is Akintayo Akinbode, Assistant Director is Reaya Sealey, and the Costume Supervisor is Sarah Holland.
The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency is part of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021's Caring City programme, supported by funding from Spirit of 2012.
More Hot Stories For You
Vital Xposure Launch Series Of Short Films Shining A Light On Disabled, D/deaf And Neurodivergent PlaywrightsMarch 27, 2023
With Vital Xposure currently recruiting new applicants for this year's Wellspring, a professional development programme for London-based disabled, d/Deaf and Neurodivergent playwrights and script writers, they launch Beacon, a series of short films profiling disabled writers who open up about their experience of the sector, giving their take on the state of new writing in theatre.
Rich Hall, Plus Special Guests, Will Perform a Benefit Show at Bush Hall For Maggie's Cancer CharityMarch 27, 2023
Comedian Rich Hall will be playing one night this spring at the Bush Hall to raise money for Maggie's, a cancer support charity funded by donors working in conjunction with hospitals all over the UK.
Mercury Theatre Announces Four New Associate CompaniesMarch 27, 2023
Mercury Theatre, led by Executive Director Steve Mannix, Executive Producer Tracey Childs and Creative Director Ryan McBryde, has announced four new associate companies who will partner with the venue for a period of three years.
The UK Pantomime Association Appoints Derek Griffiths As Its Inaugural Vice PresidentMarch 27, 2023
Derek Griffiths MBE, the highly-acclaimed and much-loved actor, children's television presenter, composer and pantomime performer, has been appointed as the inaugural Vice President of the UK Pantomime Association.
Epic Mythical Tale Will Come Alive Across Wales in New Welsh Language Musical, BRANWEN: DADENIMarch 27, 2023
Wales Millennium Centre and Frân Wen are joining forces to produce a brand-new Welsh-language dramatic musical.
