Written by George Stiles and Anthony Drew (Kipps, Mary Poppins, Betty Blues Eyes etc), Soho Cinders is a modern adaptation of the Cinderella story. The show transfers the action to the heart of London’s Soho and replaces the eponymous heroine with Robbie, a young male escort who gets wrapped up in an illicit affair with an aspiring politician. The plot intertwines elements of the classic story with contemporary urban political scandal.
This show is a modern, British musical, rarely performed with wonderful, varied music and a very relevant story. It has a good mix of roles with exciting opportunities for the ensemble to take on individual characters. Soho Cinders is essentially a love story that explores struggles that still exist today; fear of being your true self in a world where power and money still do the talking and politics is messy and corrupt. Filled with beautiful songs and uplifting dance numbers, Soho Cinders is also very funny.
Synopsis
Running his Mum’s laundrette with his best friend Velcro is not bringing in enough money, so impoverished student, Robbie, is paying his college fees earning money as a male escort. He becomes romantically involved with London Mayoral Candidate, James Prince, who is engaged to his college sweetheart, Marilyn Platt. Robbie’s battle with his lap dancing stepsisters (not identical but equally unpleasant) over the ownership of the laundrette, becomes the least of his problems as he finds himself mixed up in the dirty world of politics and business. Robbie and James are manipulated by Business Tycoon, Lord Bellingham (a regular client of Robbie’s) and James’ campaign Manager, William George, a bully and a sex pest in the workplace. Robbie, James and Marilyn are forced to make some difficult decisions in order to find their happy ending.
Production Team
Director/Choreographer – Sian Bowles Bevan
Sian has directed and performed with a number of non-professional companies for many years and has been a member of Bros TC since 2019 both as a performer (Calendar Girls at Hampton Hill, Love and Passion at Hampton Hill ) and director/choreographer (Addams family at Richmond Theatre, Sister Act at The Minnack Theatre and a Cabaret at the OSO in Barnes). Sian has directed and choreographed numerous pantomimes, cabarets, reviews, plays and musicals including Under Milkwood, Crazy for You, The Wedding Singer, Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers to name just a few.
Message from Sian: ‘I love Soho Cinders, but have seen the characters exaggerated with over egged accents and cartoon like characterisations. The show is very loosely based on
the Cinderella story but does not have to be a pantomime. It is about real people with real life struggles. Subtlety, warmth, comedy, well thought through, recognisable real people make this show and will ensure that the audience really invests in the story. I can’t wait to get started on Soho Cinders and to work with Jack and Emma and look forward to seeing you at our launch’.
Choreographer – Emma
Emma is a dance and drama graduate who joined BROS in 2014. She has choreographed many shows for TTC as well as Merrily We Roll Along for BROS which won Best Musical at the Arts Richmond Swan Awards in 2022. Emma co-choreographed our wonderfully spooky production of The Addams Family at Richmond Theatre alongside Sian with whom she is looking forward to collaborating once again. She has taken a year off from musical theatre to concentrate on being a mum and enjoying her tap dancing lessons; she can’t wait to get stuck back into a show with Soho Cinders.
Musical Director – Jack Elsdon
Jack is a musical director, pianist and guitarist originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is very excited to MD his first show with BROS! Jack has been MD’ing shows and performing in pit orchestras since he was in high school and has had the opportunity to work on a vast range of shows, including Rent, Fame, Legally Blonde, Fiddler On The Roof, Annie and many more. Now living in West London, Jack has worked within the London College Of Music as an assistant MD and arranger and orchestrator for projects there, in addition to working on shows in and around London, including on the development of a Spanish Copla show “La Copla Cabaret”. Currently, Jack is also arranging and orchestrating a new musical “The Dolce Vita” (Stuart Brayson – composer of “From Here To Eternity” – West End 2013- 14), which is set in Newcastle. Jack has also accompanied classes at Pineapple Dance Studios and has a residency in the bar at Marriott Westminster County Hall Hotel and can’t wait to start on “Soho Cinders” and be (healthily) challenged by the incredible music of Stiles and Drewe!
Roles
Robbie – A young student who is trying to make something of his life. Warm, naive but charming.
Velcro – Robbie’s best friend. Single parent who co-runs Sit and Spin Laundromat. Chatty, confident and charismatic. In love with Robbie.
James Prince – Mayoral Candidate. Well-educated and intelligent yet idealistic. Struggles to be honest about his own needs and feelings.
Marilyn Platt – James’ fiancé. Kind-hearted, strong-minded, yet fragile. She understands James more than he realises, cares deeply about him but is hanging onto her childhood dreams.
Clodagh – One of Robbie’s ugly stepsisters. Larger than life, foul-mouthed and crude. Comedic character.
Dana – the other ugly stepsister. The 'intelligent' twin but equally crude and very funny.
William George – James’ campaign manager. Lying, cheating, manipulating, sexist bully.
Lord Bellingham – An older wealthy industrial tycoon. He has a soft spot for a younger guy and treats Robbie regularly with gifts and money. His power in the city makes him dangerous.
Sasha – William’s assistant. Strong and independent but putting up with William’s inappropriate jokes, bullying ways and menial tasks. (Also in the ensemble)
Sidesaddle – A Westminster bike/scooter hire manager and a close friend of Robbie and Velcro. Feisty and fun. (Also in the ensemble)
Narrator – Taking on different characters throughout the show, the narrator sets up each scene for the audience. (Also in the ensemble)
Ensemble – Representing everyday people going about their everyday business in London. Singing, movement and dance required. Dance styles: Street, Latin, Musical Theatre.
BROS TC have an open audition and casting policy, and unless a particular characteristic is stated within the character descriptions, we welcome auditions from everyone and actively encourage auditions from people currently underrepresented in amateur dramatics.