Last Updated on 8 April 2022 by Showcall Editorial Team
Luke Friend and Hiba Elchikhe are among cast announced for the revival of musical Lift at Southwark Playhouse in London. Tickets on sale now
X Factor finalist Luke Friend and acclaimed West End performer Hiba Elchikhe are among cast joining a new production of musical Lift at Southwark Playhouse in London.
The revival, which is set in a London underground lift and offers a snapshot of modern lives, is coming to Southwark Playhouse from 13 May to 18 June 2022.
Luke Friend has been cast as Busker while Hiba Elchikhe, who played Pritti Pasha in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End, has been cast in the role of Secretary.
The cast will also include Kayleigh Mcknight as the French Teacher, Jordan Broatch as Avatar, and Marco Titus as BYT.
Making their professional debut will be Cameron Collins as the Ballet Dancer, Tamara Morgan as the Lap Dancer and Chrissie Bhima as Avatar.
The musical, with music and lyrics by Craig Adams and book by Ian Watson, was created with the help of Perfect Pitch which is dedicated to developing new British musicals. It had its world premiere at Soho Theatre in London in 2013.
Presented by Gartland Productions, the new production is directed by Dean Johnson with musical direction and new arrangements by Sam Young and choreography by Annie Southall.
The creative team also includes production designer Andrew Exeter and associate designer Natalia Alvarez with assistant design by Xinyi Du, assistant direction by Eden Howes and casting by Pearson Casting.
Luke said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of the wonderful cast of Lift. This show is going to be so intimate and unique.
“Being a songwriter and busker myself for many years, I feel as though I completely and utterly relate to my character’s story and the message he is trying to bring across.
“I can’t wait to give everything to this role and perform at Southwark Playhouse for the first time. This is a real treat for me.”
Hiba added: “I am really looking forward to being a part of Lift the musical with this incredible group of people. I can’t wait for you all to see it.”
Lift is set in a London Underground lift in one man’s imagination on its way to the surface during one minute. In the 54 seconds of the lift’s passage, we are taken on a much greater journey that reveals the people behind the masks they wear, the secrets they dare not speak, and the unrealised connections between them.
Dean said: “Since we first began the journey of our revival of Lift, we knew casting would be integral to how we could present the show as a snapshot of London in 2022.
“We had the most sensational audition process and the UK is certainly not short of incredible and diverse talent, and this allowed us to find an incredible group of people that can bring this story to life in a fresh way.
“I really believe our cast demonstrates how exciting the talent pool is in our industry with a mixture of established and incredible artists alongside fresh new faces. I really think they are going to blow the roof off Southwark Playhouse as a collective group of artists.”
