Following a highly successful concert version as part of Iris Theatre’s Workin Process scheme, H.R.Haitch opens at the Union Theatre as a freshly re-imagined full-length production. Featuring original music composed by Luke Bateman (Mr. Poppers Penguins) and lyrics written by children's author and Carnegie Medal recipient Maz Evans, H.R.Haitch is a hilarious and charming new musical for princesses and paupers alike.
Starring Tori Allen-Martin (Hair, UK Tour; Wretch, VAULT Festival; Muted, The Bunker), H.R.Haitch is a 21st century British satirical production about class, celebrity, patriotism, politics, race and a dash of social values. Set in an East London pub under the threat of closure, H.R.Haitch follows the family of the Dog & Duck as they are thrust into the limelight when their love-struck daughter Chelsea discovers a sudden unexpected connection to the Royal Family. First written in 2015, this show began as a piece of pure fiction but it now pertinently reflects the current excitement surrounding the royal family and this year’s royal wedding.
It’s 2011 and feisty east ender Chelsea’s future is bright. She has a new man and there’s a new progressive Prime Minister to light the days ahead. The media can stick their obsession with the identity of Prince Albert - the secret royal who’s been in hiding for 20 years. However, Bertie has something big to tell Chelsea. He’s down on one knee, but it’s not a ring he has in store… it’s a crown. And Chelsea will soon discover that travelling from Barking to Buckingham Palace takes more than a topped-up Oyster Card…
Director Daniel Winder comments, H.R.Haitch is a real culmination of all the new musical theatre development we do at Iris Theatre which often flies under the radar. We first introduced Luke and Maz to one another as part of the Workin Process scheme and ended up commissioning them to write the show after they won three awards at our competitions. To be able to bring that musical forward from the 2015 showcase to a full production is so exciting - especially now in the light of current affairs!
The full cast for this exciting new musical will be announced in April.
Performance Dates Wednesday 9th May – Saturday 2nd June 2018
Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30pm
Sunday matinees (20th and 27th May), 2.30pm
Running time tbc
Age recommendation 13+
Location Union Theatre, 204 Union Street, London SE1 0LX
www.uniontheatre.biz
How to get there The nearest underground stations are Southwark (on the Jubilee line) or London Bridge (on the Jubilee line and Northern line). The nearest rail station is Waterloo or London Bridge. Parking is available on Union Street after 6.30pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Twitter @ShrapnelTheatre, @Iristheatre, #HRHaitch
Box Office Tickets are available from the Union Theatre Box Office and www.uniontheatre.biz or 020 7261 9876 priced £15 - £22.50. Early bird tickets are available before 28th March for £17.50 with the offer code ‘Chelsea’.
Book and Lyrics Maz Evans
Music by Luke Bateman
Director Daniel Winder
Producer Shrapnel Theatre and Iris Theatre
Choreographer Lily Howkins
Musical Director Oli Rew
Set Design Justin Williams and Jonny Rust
Lighting Designer Ben Jacobs
Production Manager Ben O’Grady
Stage Manager Lorrell Rawlins
Chelsea Tori Allen-Martin
Shrapnel Theatre
Shrapnel Theatre is a commercial producing company with a focus on new writing, co-founded and run by Paul Virides. Shrapnel works primarily off-West End, but has also presented work in New York City, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Recent productions include Silk Road by Alex Oates (VAULT Festival 2018 & Live Theatre, Newcastle), Underground by Isla van Tricht (59E59 Theaters 2017 and VAULT 2016) and the London transfer of Deadpan Theatre’s Get Your Sh*t Together (Landor). Edinburgh Fringe work includes The D-List, Hummingbird (associate producer) and The Remnants (also Above the Arts).
Iris Theatre
Iris Theatre is an award-winning theatre company based at the Actors’ Church (St Paul’s) in Covent Garden, now in its 11th year. For the past 8 years, Iris’ main output has been a summer season featuring a Shakespeare and a family show in outdoor promenade at St Paul’s, including the Offie award-winning Treasure Island and last year’s hits Macbeth and Hansel & Gretel. Growing year on year, Iris gained full charity status in October 2009, with a mission to support the development of the next generation of professional theatre practitioners and to produce a fresh and vibrant repertoire of varied work resulting in affordable and accessible theatre.
