News: First look at Vanara – The Legend at Hackney Empire – From page to stage

Production images have been released for the ground-breaking new musical, Vanara – The Legend.

Starring Little Mix: The Search winner Jacob Fowler in the leading role alongside rising star Emily Bautista, 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 (Fowler) and Ayla (Bautista), as they encounter each other for the first time – as this forbidden love story could bring destruction for all…

From the creative team of Gianluca Cucchiara, Andrew James Whelan, Michael Conley, Tony Cucchiara and Giovanna Romagnoli, Vanara’s workshop performances and concept album have captured audience’s imaginations, and the showstopping musical is now brought to life in its first full-scale production directed by Adam Lenson and Eleesha Drennan, who also serve as Dramaturg and Choreographer respectively. Further creatives include set and costume design by Libby Todd, hair and make-up by Lisa Farrall, orchestrations by Jen Green, musical direction by Tamara Saringer and casting by Harry Blumenau.

Vanara – The Legend runs at the Hackney Empire until 31 October.

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.
“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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.