Transatlantic Tale Of Love And Music Premiering At Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall.
Liverpool charity Genie In The Gutter today announce the cast of their brand-new production One Man’s Story, which is being premiered in a special fund-raising event in Liverpool this September.
Celebrating the life of the late New York musician “Bongo” Eddie Folk, this true-life tale will be staged at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Friday 7th September as part of celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the charity.
The full cast features Simon Lennon, Rachel Hartley, Billy Joe Rowan, Olivia Jones and Ian Abraham Brown.
Star of stage and screen, Liverpool actor and writer Simon Lennon trained with the National Youth Theatre REP Company. His theatre credits include Our Town (Almeida Theatre) and rep productions of Tory Boyz, Prince of Denmark, and Romeo and Juliet (Ambassadors Theatre).
Talented actor and dancer, Rachel Hartley has worked in the U.K. and across Europe. Her recent credits include the U.K. tour and London residency of Just Some Theatre Company’s production of The Doppel Gang, and Party Like Gatsby with Speakeasy Company.
Also joining the cast are L.I.P.A. graduates Billy Joe Rowan and Olivia Jones. Billy’s past credits include understudy to the Magic Maker in Stephen Schwartz’s brand-new show, Magic To Do, aboard Princess Cruises as well as tours with Backstreet Boys and Strictly Come Dancing. Whilst One Man’s Story marks Olivia’s first professional role.
Ian Abraham Brown, a recovery member from Genie In The Gutter completes the full line-up. During his career Ian has worked with Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, Royal Opera House, The Lowry and Storyhouse. He recently performed with Kevin Beasley’s installation at Tate Liverpool as part of Liverpool Biennial 2018.
The production will be directed by Jen Heyes and with musical composition by Mark Anthony Jones.
One Man’s Story tells the transatlantic tale of the late “Bongo” Eddie Folk, the Brooklyn-born percussionist from Kid Creole and the Coconuts who came to Liverpool, had his much-loved son here, and made the city on the Mersey his home, before meeting and falling in love with Carolyn Edwards, founder and Director of Genie In The Gutter. The production features live music, dance and theatrical performance.
It explores his against-the-odds rise, taking its audience from his upbringing in 1950s Brooklyn to his success as a world-class percussionist and vocalist, including a 30-year career with Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and the years he spent living in Liverpool.
“Bongo” Eddie was a patron of Genie In The Gutter, which supports people in recovery through creative and performance arts. One Man’s Story will involve clients both on stage and behind the scenes, working alongside a fantastic team of theatre professionals.
The show has been written by Genie In The Gutter’s Carolyn Edwards, and it also charts their love story – along with her grief at his death from cancer in 2016, and the creative awakening she has experienced since.
Carolyn Edwards said “It’s really exciting working with such a diverse and professional cast, bringing together profile artists like Simon Lennon and Mark Anthony Jones to work alongside talented professional and grass root performers can produce exhilarating theatre. Our philosophy is similar to that of The Wire, cult prime time American cop show, where ex-offenders produced and performed with prominent actors and industry professionals. We believe that when everyone is included amazing things can happen.”
Tickets for One Man’s Story are on sale from the Philharmonic Hall Box office. Tickets are priced at £17, £20, £25 and £30.