First Look: Musical Vanara – The Legend arrives at Hackney Empire

October 25, 2021

First Look: Musical Vanara – The Legend arrives at Hackney Empire

Ground-breaking new musical Vanara – The Legend has arrived at Hackney Empire, playing from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 October.

Stage and screen star Jacob Fowler takes the leading role of Mohr, a loyal and confident tribesman. Fowler made his name on 2020 TV series Little Mix: The Search.

The production runs at the London venue before embarking on a UK-wide tour in 2022.

Vanara – The Legend is a story of love, sacrifice and nature at its most unpredictable. Two tribes, at war with the darkness and each other, collide with devastating consequences, providing a reminder of what is important and true. At the heart of the story are heirs to the warring tribes Mohr and Ayla, as they encounter each other for the first time – as this forbidden love story could bring destruction for all…

Creative team includes Gianluca Cucchiara, Andrew James Whelan, Michael Conley, Tony Cucchiara and Giovanna Romagnoli, and is directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer respectively. Set and costume designer is Libby Todd, hair and make-up is by Lisa Farrall, orchestrations by Jen Green, musical direction by Tamara Saringer and casting by Harry Blumenau.

Check out the latest theatre news.

Vanara the Musical

Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Chris George (Lordu) ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Cavin Cornwall ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Prem Rai (Ensemble) and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh) ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Emily Bautista (Ayla) ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Emily Bautista (Ayla) and Carole Stennett (Tonah) ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Full company of Vanara The Legend, The Musical (2) ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Full company of Vanara The Legend, The Musical ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah) ©Jane Hobson — London, UK. 22.10.2021. “Vanara”, by Gianluca Cucchiara (score), Michael Conley (book) & Andrew Whelan (lyrics), premieres at the Hackney Empire, from 22nd – 30th October 2021. The production is co-directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who are also dramaturg and choreographer, respectively, musical direction by Tamara Saringer, set & costume design by Libby Todd, lighting design by Sam Waddington and sound design by Olly Steel. The cast is: Johnnie Fiori (The Oroznah), Emily Bautista (Ayla), Jacob Fowler (Mohr), Carole Stennett (Tonah), Cavin Cornwall (Crohm), Glenn Carter (Tahl), Samantha Mercer (Utza), Kayleigh McKnight (Sindah), Shem Omari James (Caladar), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Rooh), Chris George (Lordu), Jemima Brown (ensemble), Ebby Sama (ensemble), Hicaro Nicolai (ensemble), Yuki Abe (ensemble), Olivia Jones (ensemble), Prem Rai (ensemble), Ella Martine (ensemble). Photograph © Jane Hobson.

Featured image for “Exclusive: The Theatre Cafe Diner is opening up!”

Exclusive: The Theatre Cafe Diner is opening up!

With a full theatrical dining experience like no other, The Theatre Cafe Diner will have its hotly anticipated public opening on Saturday 8th October 2022 at 12pm. …

Featured image for “News: New cast & extended booking period for Mamma Mia! in London”

News: New cast & extended booking period for Mamma Mia! in London

The new cast begin from Monday 10 October 2022 and the extension of its booking period to Saturday 30 September 2023 at London’s Novello Theatre.…

Featured image for “News: New cast announced for Moulin Rouge! The Musical”

News: New cast announced for Moulin Rouge! The Musical

From 17 October 2022, the cast will include Melissa James (The Bodyguard UK Tour and Cats UK Tour) as Satine, Jamie Muscato (Heathers The Musical) as Christian and Matt Rixon (Hairspray UK Tour) as Harold Zidler.…

Featured image for “News: Multi award-winning Come From Away has released new production photography”

News: Multi award-winning Come From Away has released new production photography

The London production of Come From Away ends its critically acclaimed engagement at the Phoenix Theatre on 7 January 2023. …

Back to all news stories

Other news

Exclusive: The Theatre Cafe Diner is opening up!

Featured image for “Exclusive: The Theatre Cafe Diner is opening up!”

News: New cast & extended booking period for Mamma Mia! in London

Featured image for “News: New cast & extended booking period for Mamma Mia! in London”

News: New cast announced for Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Featured image for “News: New cast announced for Moulin Rouge! The Musical”

News: Multi award-winning Come From Away has released new production photography

Featured image for “News: Multi award-winning Come From Away has released new production photography”

News: New cast members join West End’s joyous musical & Juliet

Featured image for “News: New cast members join West End’s joyous musical & Juliet”

News: Siobhan O’Driscoll and Lauren Drew join the UK and Ireland Tour of Les Misérables

Featured image for “News: Siobhan O’Driscoll and Lauren Drew join the UK and Ireland Tour of Les Misérables”

News: Critically acclaimed smash-hit production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! to transfer to the West End

Featured image for “News: Critically acclaimed smash-hit production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! to transfer to the West End”

News: Cast announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Bartlett Sher’s My Fair Lady

Featured image for “News: Cast announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Bartlett Sher’s My Fair Lady”

News: Winnie the Pooh The Musical comes home to the UK in Spring 2023

Featured image for “News: Winnie the Pooh The Musical comes home to the UK in Spring 2023”

News: Casting announced for the European première of The Band’s Visit

Featured image for “News: Casting announced for the European première of The Band’s Visit”

News: New cast announced for Les Misérables from 27 September 2022

Featured image for “News: New cast announced for Les Misérables from 27 September 2022”

News: David Hunter & Joanna Woodward to star in the world premiere of The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical

Featured image for “News: David Hunter & Joanna Woodward to star in the world premiere of The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical”