Set in dressing rooms across the country, “Dressing Rooms” follows the complex entanglement between rising star Clare Malone, her seasoned theatre-producer husband Bill Taylor and her charismatic co-star Alex Graham. Opening on Clare’s hen night, the show pulls back the curtain on life backstage — where egos clash, emotions run high and secrets unfold.
The Riverhead Theatre and Manic Music Productions ltd is proud to announce the world premiere of Dressing Rooms, a brand-new original musical written, composed and directed by local theatre talent Jed Spittle — who also stars in the production. Fresh from winning Best New Script at the Riverhead Theatre’s 2024 Scratch Night, this funny, poignant and sharply observed musical will take to the stage for two performances only: Friday 27 June at 8:00 PM and Saturday 28 June at 7:30 PM.
Written during lockdown, Dressing Rooms was developed in part through Riverhead Theatre’s own scriptwriting course. Jed Spittle, a graduate of Guildford School of Acting (class of ’88), brings a wealth of experience from a professional career spanning the West End tour circuit to Edinburgh Fringe success. A career that led him to become friends with some Quite Interesting friends, so friendly Jed became the custodian to something dear to them, something with a close connection to this musical. – The music was first played in it’s very keys!
The score for Dressing Rooms was composed by Jed Spittle on a white baby grand piano once owned by the family of broadcaster, writer and comedian Sandy Toksvig. Gifted to Jed as its “guardian” during the pandemic, the piano became a lifeline during lockdown — a source of solace, creativity and eventually, a brand-new musical.
“This piano belonged to Sandy and her sister Jenny’s mother,” explains Spittle. “It was bought by their father as a silver wedding anniversary gift. When they needed to find a good home for it, I was honoured to take it in. That piano became my collaborator. It gave this show its sound.”
Spittle, a seasoned performer and former Artistic Director of the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester, wrote Dressing Rooms during the isolating months of lockdown. “I think we all realised during COVID just how vital music and theatre are to our wellbeing. I wanted to write something that captured the chaos and comedy of life backstage, but also honoured what we’d lost — and what we’re fighting to save in live arts.”
Since moving to Louth, he’s found a new creative home with the Riverhead community. “Finding your people — your tribe — is everything in theatre,” says Spittle. “This venue welcomed me from day one and now I’m thrilled to bring a completely new piece of work to its stage. Without new writing, theatre can stagnate. This show is about love, performance, ambition — and ultimately, about hope. We need hope now more than ever.”
Tickets available now via Riverhead Theatre’s box office, which is open for advanced booking every Monday to Saturday from 10.00am – 1.00pm. Telephone: 01507 600350. You can also book tickets only via their website: https://www.louthriverheadtheatre.com/
Images (c) Gary Anderson of GJA Photography
Above: Jed Spittle as Bill Taylor
Below: Gary Starkie, Sophie Browne, Louise Ray and Tasha Connor
