Lyric life

Also announced today are the details of the show’s soundtrack, performed by Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke, the album will be released on press night, Thursday 24 January.

Leave to Remain is written by Matt Jones (Doctor Who, Mr Selfridge), with music by the lead singer of Bloc Party Kele Okereke and directed by Robby Graham (Artistic Director of Southpaw Dance Company and choreographer of the National Theatre’s production of Angels in America).

As previously announced, Tyrone Huntley will play the role of Obi; his previous theatre credits include the much applauded role of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) for which he was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Joining him as Obi’s partner, Alex, is Billy Cullum. His many theatre credits include the West End productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda the Musical, and most recently the critically acclaimed Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

The role of Diane is played by Emma Amos who has worked extensively in theatre, television and film, theatre credits include The Lady in the Van (Theatre Royal Bath) and Sweet Bird of the South (Chichester Festival Theatre). Playing Chichi is Aretha Ayeh, who was recently part of the Royal Shakespeare Company season including new musical Miss Littlewood, The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich and The Duchess of Malfi. Rakie Ayola joins the company to play Grace. Rakie is best known for her role in BBC’s Holby City, more recently she took over the role of Hermione Granger in the West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Sandy Batchelor joins to play Raymond. Sandy recently appeared in the ATG UK tour of Strangers on a Train. Playing Damien is Arun Blair-Mangat, his credits for the National Theatre include Angels in America, Wig Out and he was in the original West End cast of Kinky Boots. Cornell S. John plays Kenneth. Cornell played Mufasa in the original West End cast of The Lion King and will appear in the forthcoming film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. With further casting to be announced.

The soundtrack from Leave to Remain will be released by Kele Okereke to coincide with press night on 24 January. All songs are written and performed by Kele, produced by Chris Savor with additional production and mixing handled by Charles Kelly. ‘Not The Drugs Talking’ was previewed by Kele at the Lyric Hammersmith’s Spring season 2019 press launch and is available now on iTunes and Spotify.  The album is released by The Orchard.

Leave to Remain track listing:

1. Obi and Alex theme
2. Not The Drugs Talking
3. The Proposal
4. The Sea Between Us
5. No Blue Skies
6. Shame
7. Chi Chi Convinces
8. Damian’s Seduction
9. To Family
10. The Fight
11. More Than You Know
12. 5 Years
13. The Lies We Tell
14. Grace’s Ultimatum
15. Leave to Remain