‘But I’m A Cheerleader’ to receive UK premiere at Turbine Theatre

The musical was previously workshopped in 2019.

The Turbine Theatre will be home to the UK premiere of But I'm A Cheerleader, a brand new musical inspired by the 1999 film of the same name. But I'm A Cheerleader begins previews at the Turbine Theatre on 18 February, with an opening night on 23 February and performances to 16 April.

But I'm A Cheerleader is a coming-of-age-comedy that follows high school cheerleader Megan who is sent to a conversion therapy camp by her parents. At camp, Megan meets Graham, and Megan's life path becomes clear. 

But I'm A Cheerleader is based on the 1999 comedy film of the same name, which starred Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall and RuPaul. A previous musical stage adaptation premiered in 2005 at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, however the upcoming But I'm A Cheerleader musical was first seen as a workshop production at MTFestUK in 2019.

The But I'm A Cheerleader musical features a book and lyrics by Bill Augustin, music by Andrew Abrams, direction by Tania Azevedo, choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, and lighting by Martha Godfrey. Casting is to be announced.

Speaking about the musical, artistic director Paul Taylor-Mills said: "The premiere of But, I'm a Cheerleader at The Turbine Theatre is special for many reasons. Firstly, it is the first fully produced musical that I will stage that started life at our first MTFestUK 3 years ago. This is our annual festival that shines the spotlight on the development and creation of musicals. Secondly, it will also be the first brand-new musical to premiere at The Turbine which was always our driving ambition at the theatre... This important work feels absolutely in line with the type of stories that we want to tell at The Turbine."

The Turbine Theatre is typically home to new London productions — High Fidelity also received its UK premiere at the Battersea venue.

But I'm A Cheerleader is at the Turbine Theatre from 18 February to 16 April.

^{Photo credit: Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall in But, I'm A Cheerleader (Film still courtesy of IMDB)}