Alice Fearn to star in ‘Then, Now & Next’ world premiere musical

Julie Atherton directs the original musical, following one woman over 20 years as she rediscovers her sense of self, at Southwark Playhouse Borough this summer.

The Phantom of the Opera, Come From Away, and Ordinary Days actors team up for the world premiere of Then, Now & Next. The musical begins previews at Southwark Playhouse Borough on 23 June, ahead of an opening night on 28 June, and performances to 29 July.

Then, Now & Next centres around Alex Shaw. Over 20 years, we see Alex rebuild her story to ask herself if she will be more than “fine.” Alice Fearn will play Alex, with further casting to be announced.

“We started work on early drafts of this show together almost ten years ago, and eagerly revisited it in April 2020. It got us both through lockdown with no expectation of the show turning into what it is today. We came out the other side with a piece that speaks to how we all feel now about moving forward and what it means to belong,” said Christopher J Orton and Jon Robyns, the musical’s creators. Robyn currently plays the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera.

Julie Atherton directs, with set and costume design by Bob Sterrett, lighting design by Adam King, sound design by Raffaela Pancucci, and movement by Alexzandra Sarmiento.

Then, Now & Next will be at Southwark Playhouse Borough.

Photo credit: Then, Now and Next artwork (Photo courtesy of production)