Flyer for when Duke Ellington visited and played at the Hippodrome in 1971

 

Prepare to be swept away to a musical retelling of Shakespeare’s beloved play, bringing to life the 1940s New York jazz scene, set to a timeless score. For the first time since 1997, Play On! is being performed, and comes to the Hippodrome from Wednesday 6 – Saturday 9 November.

The show has memorable dance tableaus, delivered by a slick ensemble, merging commercial, Hip-Hop and Jazz dance. The score, arranged by Birmingham’s own Romarna Campbell, is ultimately tappable, bringing Duke Ellington tracks like Take the A Train and It Don’t Mean a Thing to audiences. As a riff-off of one of William Shakespeare’s most loved plays, Twelfth Night, there is a familiarity to the work for all to enjoy.

We went to see the show during its run at the Belgrade in Coventry and had the chance to speak to three of the main cast members, Koko Alexandra, Tsemaye Bob-Egbe and Earl Gregory. Read on to see what they believe the show brings to audiences and why the musical is special to them.

Tell us about your characters and their journeys throughout the show.

Koko Alexandra (Lady Liv): “Lady Liv is the lead singer of the Cotton Club who is sassy, dynamic and strong willed but also has moments of vulnerability. Throughout the show she is trying to find her true self as well as find someone who is ready to love her.”

“She tests the characters throughout the show letting the audiences into her alone moments as a singer. She is the leading lady who, on a path towards love, who is not always feeling like a leading lady.”

Tsemaye Bob-Egbe (Viola / Vyman): “Viola is a woman with a dream and an alter ego. The story follows Violas’ journey in wanting to become a songwriter. In 1940s Harlem, female songwriters are not common.”

“She acquires help from her uncle to become a different version of herself, Vyman. As a male, Vyman has a plan to dominate the songwriting industry as much as she believes Viola can. She has moments of self-doubt and discovery along the way, meeting people and falling in love.”

Earl Gregory (The Duke): “The Duke is the band leader and songwriter who has a case of writers block. He is hopelessly in love with Lady Liv, who doesn’t reciprocate these feelings. Vyman comes into the picture and helps light his creative spark. He then goes on his own story of love.”

There is a live band on stage with you throughout the show, how has that experience been and what does it add to the musical?

The cast spoke lovingly about the live onstage band, Koko Alexandra saying: “The music plays a huge role in this show, it aids the story beautifully, each scene linking to a song, pushing the narrative forward in a romantic way.  Every song has its moment. Each song has a different arrangement, some tracks sound more modern with classic jazz elements in each.”

Tsemaye Bob-Egbe: The love language of the show and the characters is music, and this really helps reach the depth of the characters emotions. There are some things that can’t be expressed with words and the music does that perfectly.”

Earl Gregory: “Imagine an evening at home, cooking a beautiful meal, you open a bottle of wine, and you have your favourite jazz album on, and you are with your partner or on your own, and you are pining for a lost love. That is what watching Play On! feels like.”

Tsemaye Bob-Egbe: “The live band are seen on stage for the duration which is fantastic for them, us as actors and the audiences. The combination of live music and live theatre creates a fantastic show.”

Koko Alexandra: It isn’t something you expect when you go to a musical, they are usually hidden away somewhere, unseen. It’s nice for them to be on stage and for us to interact with them. It’s great that they can act alongside us and be in the moment. Bringing live music and love theatre together is special.

How would you summarise Play On! in one sentence?

Tsemaye Bob-Egbe: “Joy”!

Koko Alexandra: “It’s described perfectly in one of my lines, ‘Strange isn’t it how people feel that they need to reinvent themselves before their true selves can be discovered or even loved’. It’s such a nice summary of what people can experience, beginning to end.”

Earl Gregory: “I would just say, Play on, play on, play on, end of lesson!”

Play On! comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 6 until Saturday 9 November. Tickets for Play On! can be booked here or by calling 0844 338 5000*

*0844 calls will cost you 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.