Bat Boy: The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse

Paul Taylor-Mills Ltd presents the first London revival of Bat Boy: The Musical, at the Southwark Playhouse's 'Large Space', a fringe venue near Elephant and Castle in south London, from 9 to 31 January 2015.

The show is directed by Luke Fredericks, choreographed by Joey McKneely and has set and costume design by Stewart Charlesworth. Cast includes Matthew White (Dr Parker) and Lauren Ward (Meredith Parker).

Bat Boy: The Musical has story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe.

Synopsis: "A strange bat-child is discovered in a dank cave in deepest, darkest West Virginia. For the small community of Hope Falls, the discovery threatens to shake its moral core and the residents turn to the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, in the hope that he will know what to do with the strange creature. Taken under the wing of Dr Parker's wife, the boy is taught in the ways of the world and adjusts to life in this seemingly normal American family. However, 'normal' is merely the cycle on Mrs Parker's washing machine. Secrets, lies and a mysterious case of dead cows leave our Bat Boy at the mercy of his God-fearing community and the shocking truth that reveals the hidden beast in all of us."

London stage credits for Matthew White include 'Ragtime' at the Piccadilly Theatre, 'Chicago' at the Adelphi Theatre, 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Her Majesty's Theatre, 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' at the Shaftesbury Theatre and 'Les Misérables' at the Palace Theatre. Lauren Ward's stage credits include 'Matilda' - both in the West End and on Broadway, 'The Sound of Music' at the London Palladium, 'The Philadelphia Story' at the Old Vic and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

Bat Boy: The Musical was premiered in the UK in 2004 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse before going on to a West End run at the Shaftesbury Theatre. It had previously won New York's Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards for Best Off-Broadway Musical (in 2001).