About: Betwixt!

BETWIXT, a new musical with music and lyrics by Ian MacFarlane has its world premiere at the King’s Head Theatre in London on 6th May 2008. Continuing the dynamic season of new work at the theatre this year, BETWIXT is a fantasy adventure lovingly developed from an original idea by Ian MacFarlane and directed by Kate Golledge. With an enchanting and original score, Betwixt is a modern-day fairytale with a wicked sense of humour.

Fantasy novelist Bailey Howard and his flamboyant friend Cooper Fitzgerald are magically transported to the world of the In-Between. Their arrival fulfills the ancient prophecy that the oppressed land and its kidnapped Prince Haydn will be rescued by a conquering hero and a great queen. Setting off on their journey Bailey and Cooper encounter a host of curious characters, from the seductive Nymph Queen to a deranged theatrical troupe, the evil Langwidere and a singing disembodied head. Alternating between Bailey’s fantasy adventures and the real world he has left behind, Betwixt! is a witty musical romp, set to a richly comic score that is sure to engage and enthrall.

Based on an original idea by Ian MacFarlane, Betwixt had a three week workshop production at the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden which The Stage heralded as the Best Musical of 2006. The King’s Head Theatre has developed this production at its venue since July 2007.

The production will star its creator Ian MacFarlane as ‘Cooper Fitzgerald’. Ian has previously worked at the King’s Head, appearing as John Darling in Peter Pan, the acclaimed stage premiere of the Leonard Bernstein score. Ian has also appeared in Tony Blair The Musical at the Edinburgh fringe in 2007.

Stephen Fletcher plays intrepid novelist Bailey Howard. Stephen has recently starred as Peter in Willy Russell's 30th anniversary re-mix of Stags and Hens at The Royal Court Liverpool. Stephen has also appeared in Mary Stuart at the Donmar Warehouse, 100% Bullet Proof at the Soho Theatre/Liverpool Everyman and The Borrowers at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Abi Finley will play ‘Miranda’. In 2006 Abi found herself in the semi-finals of the BBC’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? From there she went on to star as ‘Fiona’ in Tim Rice’s revival of Blondel.

The production also stars David McGaraghan plays ‘Prince Hayden’, Amanda Symonds plays evil sorceress ‘Langwidere’, Mark Inscoe plays ‘Garbo’, Ross Aldred plays ‘Marasmus’ and Amy Griffiths plays ‘Princess Ariella’.

Director Kate Golledge’s recent work includes Bridgetower for the English Touring Opera, which spent a season touring the UK in the Autumn of 2007. Kate’s other projects as director include the W.S Gilbert play Sweethearts at Finborough Theatre, Six Women with Brain Death for the National Student Theatre Company at the Edinburgh Pleasance and Be the Star You Are for the Young Vic. Kate also worked as the assistant director on the West End production of Daddy Cool at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

For more detail please visit www.betwixtthemusical.com

Public Comments on:
"Betwixt!"