News: Watch first episode of new musical film Cells starring Clive Rowe and Lem Knights

The first episode of new musical film Cells has been released, presented by Metta Theatre, Royal & Derngate Northampton, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

The digital musical stars Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe and rising star Lem Knights, with the full film available from 26 April and the album now available on Spotify and other digital platforms.

Cells was written, developed and recorded entirely during lockdown by the award-winning writer and director P Burton-Morgan and composer Ben Glasstone.

A university science lab. A kebab shop at 2am. An online gaming forum. Two strangers’ lives become intertwined. Alan Bennett meets The Streets in this tender and uplifting new work, giving voice to the lives of two everyday blokes.

Metta Theatre has partnered with three major regional venues to host subsequent episodes on their websites, with Episode 2 and 5 released on Tuesday 20 April and Friday 23 April respectively from Royal & Derngate, Episode 3 and 6 on Wednesday 21 April and Saturday 24 April respectively from Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Episode 4 and 7 on Thursday 22 April and Sunday 25 April respectively from Stephen Joseph Theatre.

The full film is to be made available on Monday 26 April and will be free to all to access via YouTube with a suggested donation (£3 per episode, £10 for the whole film) – all of which will go to the three regional theatres to help support their recovery.

Creative team includes mixing and mastering by Simon Small, musical direction from Phil Cornwell, director of photography Jon Dickinson and film editing by Will Reynolds. Band includes Phil Cornwell on keys and double bass and Curtis Volp on guitar.

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