Wolfboy
Encyclopedia
Wolfboy is a musical
with music and lyrics by Leon Parris
and book by Russell Labey, based on the play by Brad Fraser
. Its story concerns two teenagers committed to an asylum: Bernie has tried to commit suicide and David believes he's a werewolf. The musical addresses psychiatric disorders, abuse, sexuality and loneliness. The original play was staged in Canada; a 1984 production is reported as Keanu Reeves
' first stage role.
The musical premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2009, and had a 2010 off-West End
staging at Trafalgar Studios
, in London
.
in Chiswick
and had a run in 2009 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, featuring Gregg Lowe as Bernie, Paul Holowaty
as David and Lee Latchford-Evans
from Steps.
In 2010 it was presented at Trafalgar Studios
in London, featuring Gregg Lowe as Bernie, Paul Holowaty as David, Daniel Boys
as Christian, Emma Rigby
as Nurse Cherry and Annabel Howitt as Annie. This staging of Wolfboy was produced from July 6 through July 31, 2010, directed by Russell Labey, with Iain Vince Gatt as musical director.
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
with music and lyrics by Leon Parris
Leon Parris
Leon Parris is a British writer, actor, musician and composer.- Biography :Leon Parris was brought up in Bedford, England, and was educated at Bedford Modern School.He lives in Barcelona, Spain, with his wife.- Credits :...
and book by Russell Labey, based on the play by Brad Fraser
Brad Fraser
Brad Fraser is a Canadian playwright, screenwriter and cultural commentator. He is one of the most widely produced Canadian playwrights both in Canada and internationally. Fraser's plays typically feature a harsh yet comical view of contemporary life in Canada, including frank depictions of...
. Its story concerns two teenagers committed to an asylum: Bernie has tried to commit suicide and David believes he's a werewolf. The musical addresses psychiatric disorders, abuse, sexuality and loneliness. The original play was staged in Canada; a 1984 production is reported as Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor. Reeves is perhaps best known for his roles in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Speed, Point Break and the science fiction-action trilogy The Matrix...
' first stage role.
The musical premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2009, and had a 2010 off-West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
staging at Trafalgar Studios
Trafalgar Studios
Trafalgar Studios, formerly The Whitehall Theatre until 2004, is a West End theatre in Whitehall, near Trafalgar Square, in the City of Westminster, London....
, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Productions
The musical was previewed between July 1 and July 4, 2009, at Tabard TheatreTabard Theatre
The Tabard Theatre is an intimate, 80 seat theatre located in Chiswick in the London Borough of Hounslow. Close to Turnham Green Underground station, it is situated above the Tabard public house which was built in 1880 by the architect Norman Shaw for the Bedford Park Estate...
in Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
and had a run in 2009 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, featuring Gregg Lowe as Bernie, Paul Holowaty
Paul Holowaty
Paul Holowaty is an English actor who was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester on 7 March 1985. He is probably most well known for his role as racist bully “Steven "Macki" Mackintosh” in teenage soap opera Hollyoaks. The character was killed off in the summer of 2005...
as David and Lee Latchford-Evans
Lee Latchford-Evans
Lee Latchford-Evans is an English pop singer, actor and dancer, most famous for being a member of the British pop group Steps.-Biography:...
from Steps.
In 2010 it was presented at Trafalgar Studios
Trafalgar Studios
Trafalgar Studios, formerly The Whitehall Theatre until 2004, is a West End theatre in Whitehall, near Trafalgar Square, in the City of Westminster, London....
in London, featuring Gregg Lowe as Bernie, Paul Holowaty as David, Daniel Boys
Daniel Boys
Daniel Boys is a British musical theatre actor, best known as a contestant on the BBC talent series Any Dream Will Do in 2007.-Acting Career:...
as Christian, Emma Rigby
Emma Rigby
Emma Catherine Rigby , is an English actress, best known for her role in Hollyoaks as Hannah Ashworth.-Career:In February 2010 Emma Completed, with International Fashion Photographer Rory Lewis.-Television:...
as Nurse Cherry and Annabel Howitt as Annie. This staging of Wolfboy was produced from July 6 through July 31, 2010, directed by Russell Labey, with Iain Vince Gatt as musical director.
Synopsis
Hockey team captain and golden boy Bernie wakes up at an asylum, after trying to commit suicide. Around him, big brother Christian tries to understand what drove him to this unexpected action, nurse Cherry goes about her job and next door neighbour David is tied down under a diagnosis of lycanthropy. The ensuing days see both boys exchanging stories and growing closer, with pasts of abuse, hustling and neglect emerging.Musical numbers
Note: The song titles are not listed in the program and the CD release contains only 4 tracks- 1. The Visit
- 2. One Wall Away from Your Dreams
- 3. 1 Seven, 2 Jacks & an Ace
- 4. Come Home
London cast
- Bernie: Gregg Lowe
- David: Paul HolowatyPaul HolowatyPaul Holowaty is an English actor who was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester on 7 March 1985. He is probably most well known for his role as racist bully “Steven "Macki" Mackintosh” in teenage soap opera Hollyoaks. The character was killed off in the summer of 2005...
- Christian: Daniel BoysDaniel BoysDaniel Boys is a British musical theatre actor, best known as a contestant on the BBC talent series Any Dream Will Do in 2007.-Acting Career:...
- Cherry: Emma RigbyEmma RigbyEmma Catherine Rigby , is an English actress, best known for her role in Hollyoaks as Hannah Ashworth.-Career:In February 2010 Emma Completed, with International Fashion Photographer Rory Lewis.-Television:...
- Annie: Annabel Howitt