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

October 25, 2021

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.

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.

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