New Birmingham-Based Producers Need Your Help

Subject to funding, Stiles & Drewe's Soho Cinders is to have its professional regional premiere at The Old Rep, Birmingham between 24 and 28 August 2016.

New musical theatre production company Benson Ell Theatrical Productions are proud to announce that they have obtained the rights to stage a professional production of Soho Cinders in Birmingham next year – a fresh and modern re-telling of the classic fairytale, set to Stiles and Drewe’s incomparable music and lyrics. Producers, Bradley Benson and Jenny Ell, need your help in order to make this happen.

Benson and Ell’s long term aim is to develop the emerging fringe theatre scene in the city where lesser known musicals can get the exposure they deserve outside of London. Showcasing professional local talent and businesses is at the forefront of the company’s vision. Although  Birmingham has an extensive selection of theatres, most are receiving houses. The ultimate goal is to produce professional theatre in the UK’s second city - for Brummies and made by Brummies!

Alongside the show itself, there will be opportunities to engage young people with supplementary educational events linked to the production such as masterclasses and curtain raisers. The production will benefit more people than just those watching it and other local arts organisations will be assisting to make this happen.

A stellar creative team have been lined up and are committed to the project. The full creative team will be revealed very soon.

Producer Bradley Benson trained in Musical Theatre at Birmingham Ormiston Academy where he performed in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, Just So and Spend, Spend, Spend. After graduating, Bradley produced two cabaret nights in Birmingham under the Musical Direction of West End MD Scott Morgan with performers from Mountview, PPA, Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti, University of Chichester and BOA MT. 

Producer Jenny Ell is trained as a Stage Manager and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2010. Credits include: Merrily We Roll Along, Our House, Just So and Spend, Spend, Spend (BOA MT), Nunsense (All Round Theatre), Wings of Desire (IDFB), Paul Daniels: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow and Liberace: Live From Heaven (Norwell Lapley Productions), Little Shop of Horrors (Birmingham Repertory Theatre) and various pantomimes at Solihull Arts Complex. She has also worked on the Wicked, War Horse and Lion King UK tours. Jenny frequently writes for Broadway World UK where she covers reviews, news features and interviews. 

Soho Cinders was originally staged as a concert back in 2011 preceding a fully staged production at London’s Soho Theatre in 2012. The production featured a West End cast including Michael Xavier, Amy Lennox and Beverley Rudd.

To assist Benson Ell Theatrical Productions in bringing this fantastic show to the Birmingham stage, please visit this Kickstarter link.