Earlier this year In The Wings had the genius idea to entertain us through lockdown by highlighting four brand new musicals that had their opening postponed due to the global pandemic. Each week, songs from No Limits, Legends of Arahma, Gretel and Dorian: A Rock Musical were performed by stars of the West end alongside interviews with the creative teams behind each show.
Due to the huge success of the first series, In The Wings is back, bigger and better than before.
Produced by Henry Brennan and Justin Williams, Series 2 of In The Wings again focuses on brand new musicals but this time the total showcased has increased from four to six. The titles being offered this time around are:
Terror At The Sweet Shop by Gavin Brock and Nichola Rivers
Schoolchildren Oscar, Reese, Ishy and Emma investigate the mysterious disappearance of their beloved sweetshop owner Mr McNulty after he is replaced by the diabolical, child-hating Miss Primrose. With the help of a talking cat, a foul-smelling stink bomb and the world's most explosive curry, the children vow to eviscerate the witch and save their local village from the most dangerous power the world has ever known.
The Rise by Graham Lappin
Set in Lancashire in 1894, this simple and hopeful story charts one very significant day in the lives of the Roach family from Milbourne Hill. A folk-inspired score leads us through the highs, lows, dreams and disappointments of working class life; whilst also exploring the vital importance of family and of passing on tradition.
Plan Bea by Suzy Davies, Verity Quade, Jessie Reeves, Rosie McElroy and Deborah Gersohn
'Plan Bea' is a show for anyone who understands that life doesn't always go to plan.
Set in Stratford-upon-Avon and in the shadow of the Bard, the story transitions between the present day and the 90s. Obsessive planner Beatrice is 39 and had enough of this life. She's ready to end it all, but Bea would not rest in peace if she left any mess behind. She determines to clear up every element of her existence; in doing so, she embarks upon an unexpected journey of self-discovery and liberation.
You And I by Cordelia O'Driscoll and Tom Williams
What do you do when the world's first super intelligent robot turns up at your door asking about the origins of the universe, karaoke and the meaning of porn? Fran is about to find out. 'You and I' follows the story of this aspiring musician as she learns to conquer fear, cope with loss and find her voice, all through her new friendship with a robot named Robert. With a highly original soulful folk score, this touching new musical comedy explores what it really means to be human.
The Wicker Husband by Darren Clark and Rhys Jennings
'The Wicker Husband' is a musical adaptation of a story by Ursula Wills-Jones. The "Ugly Girl" has resigned herself to a life alone without friends or a partner until the strange Old Basket Maker creates a wonderful husband for her. What ensues is a haunting, witty and beautiful tale of hope, cruelty and vengeance. Told through folk-inspired song and storytelling, at its heart the show explores the question: What is true ugliness? The show uses life and larger than life size puppetry, music inspired by the folk traditions of England and Ireland and traditional storytelling to tell its tale.
Millennials by Elliot Clay
'Millennials' is about extraordinarily ordinary people - the one walking down the street, the one staring into a mirror and the one with a secret. This powerful and uplifting collection of songs amplifies the lives, the losses and the frustrations of young people in the modern world. With music and lyrics by Elliot Clay, 'Millennials' runs the gamut of modern pop music and sends musical theatre hurtling through the 21st century.
Millennials in particular has already garnered a lot of interest and a loyal following after releasing two songs online from the show. one of which is sung by Luke Bayer.
Each show will feature performances by West end stars and 2020 graduates accompanied by a live band and will be filmed in advance in a theatre with strict social distancing guidelines in place.
The exact dates each instalment will be broadcast will be announced later this month along with more details and cast news for each show. Each one will be available to watch for free on YouTube.com/InTheWingsLive. In the meantime, the entire first series is still available to watch there.
The lack of physical theatre this year has meant a lot of fans have moved online searching for ways to keep up their stagey fix and in turn have discovered new and upcoming musicals they may never have otherwise known about. I for one am excited to discover even more new shows with this series.
To be kept in the loop with the latest updates and release announcements for this series, be sure to follow https://twitter.com/InTheWingsLive
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