Dogfight cast to reunite for one-off concert

Exactly a year after Dogfight’s European premiere production closed at Southwark Playhouse, the original cast and creative team are to reunite for a special concert version of the musical in the main house at St James Theatre on 11st October 2015.

Producer Danielle Tarento says: “Dogfight was such a special project for everyone involved. Now we have a wonderful opportunity to reunite the Dogfight family to once more sing the magical score by Pasek and Paul and relive again the heartbreaking love story between Eddie and Rose. As the lyrics to the show’s opening song say: ‘Take me back...’” 

Heading the cast in the central roles of Eddie and Rose are Jamie Muscato and Laura Jane Matthewson. The rest of the cast are: Cellen Chugg Jones; Nicholas Corre; Joshua Dowen; Ciaran Joyce; Amanda Minihan; Rebecca Trehearn; Samuel J. Weir. 

Big Interview: Jamie Muscato

Jamie Muscato is currently originating the role of Nathan in the world premiere of British chamber musical The House of Mirrors and Hearts at the Arcola Theatre. 

Most recently Jamie starred as Eddie Birdlace in the UK premiere of Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse. His theatre credits also include: understudy Digby in The Light Princess (National), understudy Drew and Franz in Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury), understudy Oliver Barrett in Love Story (Chichester/Duchess), understudy Melchior and Moritz in Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith) and Busker in Lift (Trafalgar Studios). 

Jamie was in the international tour of Les Miserables. He went on to appear in Tom Hooper's film adaptation and performed with the cast at the 85th Academy Awards. His other screen appearances include: Rory Storm in Cilla, The Euphoria of Drowning and Wild Oats. 

Jamie’s workshop credits include: Joe in Bend it Like Beckham (Gurinder Chadha), Harry Blitztein in Blitz (Lucy Bailey), But I'm a Cheerleader (Jerry Mitchell), Colin in Falklands (National Theatre Studio, Polly Findlay) and Rowan in X (Steven Dexter). 

I recently spoke to Jamie about why he thinks The House of Mirrors and Hearts will surprise people, what he loves about performing new work and the controversy and debate surrounding Dogfight… 

What drew you to The House of Mirrors and Hearts? 

I was in a bit of a unique position because I got on board with this a bit later, so at the start I was just learning as I went along. It’s been an amazing experience because I was able to see everything on its feet and experience it as it went along. The music is really beautiful – some of it has got a Persian, sort of Mediterranean vibe to it and then some of it is kind of nursery rhyme-esque. It’s different from what you would usually get from your average new musical. 

Review: Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse

Dogfight 

Southwark Playhouse

Reviewed on Wednesday 13th August 2014

★★★

To mark their final night before their deployment to Vietnam, Dogfight follows three Marines as they go out in search of the ugliest possible date they can find. Falling victim to this cruel bet is Rose (Laura Jane Matthewson) who, prior to being asked out by Corporal Eddie Birdlace (Jamie Muscato), has never been on a date in her life.

Interview: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul & Peter Duchan

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Peter Duchan are the writing team behind Dogfight. Based on the 1991 movie of the same name, Dogfight premiered off-Broadway in 2012, winning the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical.

Renowned producer Danielle Tarento has brought the show to London where it will receive its UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse. The production officially opens tonight (Wednesday 13th August) and runs until Saturday 13th September.

November 21, 1963. The night before their deployment to Vietnam, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, the unassuming and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet, she rewrites the rules of the game and opens his eyes to what really matters in life.

Peter Duchan (Book) is best known for co-writing the film Breaking Upwards. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Music & Lyrics) have been a composing team since meeting in college. In 2007 they were the youngest ever recipients of the Jonathan Larson Award - named after the late Rent composer - that honours achievement by composers, lyricists and librettists. 

Pasek and Paul made their Broadway debut last year with A Christmas Story, which received three Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, as well as six Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Music. Their other stage musicals include Edges and James and the Giant Peach. They composed several original songs for the second season of the Broadway TV drama Smash.

Yesterday I met with the three American writers at the Southwark Playhouse ahead of them seeing the London production of their musical for the first time…

Dogfight’s journey has been incredible. The show was so well received in New York and there was tremendous excitement when the UK premiere was announced. Have you had a chance to take it all in?

Peter Duchan: It feels like the show has taken on a new life in the last six months. The experience of creating the show, writing it and doing it in New York was wonderful and beyond anything I ever dreamed of, but – we were just talking about this recently – the reaction from beyond the small amount of people who saw it in New York has been really cool. It’s been amazing to see it take on this future life and I just hope it keeps going [laughs]!

Pasek and Paul to host London masterclass at the St James Theatre

Ahead of the European premiere of Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse, Pasek and Paul are running an intimate masterclass at the St James Theatre during their stay in London.

The masterclass takes place on Friday 15th August 2014 between 10am and 2pm. Just 12 spaces are avaliable to take part in the masterclass with the Tony Award nominated composers as well as a small number of observer spaces.

The session will cover audition technique and characterisation through song work. Each participant must prepare a song of their choice to be worked on with Benj and Justin who are happy to work through songs from any composer.

Sneak peek at... Laura Jane Matthewson performing 'Pretty Funny' from Dogfight

Producers of the UK premiere of Dogfight have released a video of cast member Laura Jane Matthewson (Rose) performing 'Pretty Funny'. Watch the video below and click here to win two tickets to the show.

Based on the 1991 movie of the same name starring River Phoenix, Dogfight premièred Off-Broadway in 2012, winning the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical. The show was also nominated for 5 Outer Critics Circle and 2 Drama Desk Awards.

Competition: Win tickets to UK premiere of Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse

This summer we're launching a new competition series, giving you the chance to win top price tickets to some of London's hottest shows!

First up we're giving away a pair of tickets to the UK premiere of Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse (valid on all performances until 4th September 2014)!

To enter, simply sign up to West End Frame's mailing list below. The winner will be randomly selected at 10am on Monday 28th July 2014 (entries after this time will not be included).

Based on the 1991 movie of the same name starring River Phoenix, Dogfight premièred Off-Broadway in 2012, winning the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and nominated for 5 Outer Critics Circle and 2 Drama Desk Awards.

November 21, 1963. On the night before their deployment to Vietnam, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, the unassuming and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet, she rewrites the rules of the game and opens his eyes to what really matters in life.

Jamie Muscato & Laura Jane Matthewson to star in European premiere of Dogfight

It has been announced that Jamie Muscato and Laura Jane Matthewson will star in the European premiere of Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse as Eddie and Rose. Rebecca Trehearn has also been cast in the production.

Dogfight to receive European premiere at the Southwark Playhouse

It has been announced that Dogfight will receive its European premiere at the Southwark Playhouse in August.

Produced by Danielle Tarentom (Titanic), Dogfight will open on Wednesday 13th August (previews from 8th August) and run until Saturday 13th September 2014.

Based on the 1991 movie of the same name starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor, Dogfight ran off-Broadway in 2012, winning the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical. Lindsay Mendez and Derek Klena starred in the production. Casting for the London run is yet to be announced.