First look: New musical The Rhythmics at Southwark Playhouse

First look production photos have been revealed from new musical The Rhythmics which premieres at the Southwark Playhouse.

Aria Entertainment and Metta Theatre will present the new show at the London venue from 2 December 2021 to 8 January 2022.

The cast will feature Noel Sullivan as ‘Grey’ in life affirming musical while recent graduate Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos will make her professional debut playing ‘Silva’.

The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner

Joining them are are Ken Christiansen as ‘Nick’, Kinny Gardner as ‘Sid’, Rebecca Hayes as ‘Robin’, Andrew Patrick-Walker as ‘Jeremy’, Joshua Steel as ‘Connor’, Phil Snowden as ‘Dennis’ and Kirby Hughes as Sue’

With book and lyrics by Metta’s Artistic Director P Burton-Morgan, and music and lyrics from Stiles + Drewe award winner Ben Glasstone (Reanimator), The Rhythmics explores the crisis of masculinity via a collection of oddballs belting their way through a thrillingly catchy guitar-led score.

Hapless single-dad Grey is in a rut. Teenage daughter Silva packs him off to revive his rockstar dreams, successfully auditioning for ‘Nick & the Rhythmics’ only to realise… he’s actually signed up for an All-male Rhythmic Gymnastics troupe.

Against the odds these burly blokes make it as far as the World Championships – twirling their ‘ribbons of fire’ – and along the way Grey finally learns to commit to life. Calendar Girls meets The Full Monty in this joyous new British musical.

For tickets and more information, visit southwarkplayhouse.co.uk.

The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner
The Rhythmics @ Southwark Playhouse. Picture: (c) Alex Brenner

The Rhythmics is directed by P Burton-Morgan, with choreography by Mark Smith, with Ellie Verkerk as Musical Supervisor, Erika Gundesen as Musical Director, James Nicholson as sound designer, Francine Huin-Wah as costume designer, Jane Deitch as casting director, and Will Reynolds as set and lighting designer.

About the author: Josh Darvill

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.