Stratford East to Present World Premiere of New Musical AMERICANA: IN CONCERT

Theatre Royal Stratford East continues their commitment to developing new British musical theatre with the world premiere of AMERICANA: IN CONCERT, a high-energy new musical for a new generation. Just three performances only from 31 March 2016.

Writing duo Graham Mercer (Book, Music and Lyrics) and Conway McDermott (Book), winners of the Cameron Mackintosh Award for Musical Theatre, fuse grunge, pop and hip hop to create a ground breaking musical that breaks all the rules. Americana tell the love story of David, a rebellious stoner punk, and Brody, an All-American football player. When David returns to his Bible belt high school in a small town in America, ready to raise hell, things don't go as planned. Just how far will two teenagers go in their fight for freedom, love and high school justice?

Kerry Michael, Artistic Director at Theatre Royal Stratford East said, "Our manifesto at Theatre Royal Stratford East is to develop new writing in British theatre through a variety of music genres. We're also committed to nurturing young talent with bold, bright vision and interesting stories to tell.

"We're therefore thrilled to be able to support the Hungry Bitches team. They're making a piece of work like no other I have ever seen its entertaining, compelling, provocative and brave. If you're interested in hearing a voice in British Musical Theatre then this is for you.".

Jordan James Taylor, Producer of AMERICANA: IN CONCERT said, "Americana has been embedded deep within our rebellious brains for as long as we can remember, binding us together with a shared obsession of punk and pop culture. The project has undergone a multitude of changes and, with each stage of the development; the voice of the Hungry Bitches has grown stronger. The audience should expect a full throttle journey into our world as soon as they enter the theatre.

"Theatre Royal Stratford East has been invaluable in facilitating the development of Americana since we started working with them in 2014. The creative freedom, trust and belief they've given to our project and our company, as well as the mentorship of both the show and the team have paved the way for us to charge into the future of musical theatre."

AMERICANA: IN CONCERT will run from 31 March - 2 April 2016. Tickets start from just £10 to £22.50, with concessions available on all performances. To book tickets call the Box Office on 020 8534 0310, visit www.stratfordeast.com or book in person at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN.

This famous producing theatre, located in the heart of London's East End on the edge of the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, prides itself on creating world class work that reflects the concerns, hopes and dreams of its community. A prolific developer of new work, this award-winning theatre attracts artists and audiences often not represented in other venues. Through a continuous loop it inspires and is inspired by its vibrant, young and diverse audience.

Theatre Royal Stratford East is committed to supporting the development of exciting new voices and to putting bold new work on its stage. As part of this, the venue's bi-annual Angelic Tales New Writing Festival features rehearsed readings by more than twenty emerging writers and has led to work going on to become full main stage productions. New writing recently staged by Theatre Royal Stratford East includes Ché Walkers The Etienne Sisters, Roy Williams' Antigone and Kingston 14, Somalia Seaton's Crowning Glory, Tanika Gupta's Love N Stuff, Rikki Beadle Blair's Gutted and Cora Bissett's Olivier-award winning Roadkill.

An important aspect of its work is the development of new musical theatre. The Theatre's vision is to break new ground with musicals that bring contemporary and urban music into the mainstream of British theatre. This has led to the production of a broad spectrum of acclaimed sell-out musicals with its work transferring nationally and internationally. Recent productions include: The Infidel The Musical, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be (first performed in 1959), the Olivier-nominated Oh What a Lovely War (restaged in 2014 for its 50th anniversary year, with a national tour to follow in 2015), the UK Theatre Award-nominated Glasgow Girls (with National Theatre of Scotland and Citizens Theatre in association with Richard Jordan Productions Ltd, Pachamama Productions and Merrigong Theatre Company (Australia)), Wah! Wah! Girls (with Sadler's Wells and Kneehigh), the Olivier Award winning Pied Piper (with Boy Blue Ents), Britain's Got Bhangra (with Rifco Arts & Warwick Arts Centre), Reasons to be Cheerful (with Graeae Theatre Company and New Wolsey Theatre), Clockwork Orange, Takeaway, Come Dancing (Best Off West End Production - What's On Stage Awards), The Blacks, The Harder They Come (including West End and North American tour), the Olivier nominated The Big Life, Da Boyz and Baiju Bawra.

For more, visit www.stratfordeast.com.

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