Rent at Rugby Theatre

TALENTED young singers and actors take to the stage at Rugby Theatre in ‘rock opera’ Rent.

The cast includes one actor with West End credentials, a young star from a recent hit musical at Leicester’s Curve Theatre, and a teenage singer who can boast a YouTube video that’s been seen by more than 177,00 people.

The show, a rock musical which ran for 12 years on Broadway, opens on Saturday (October 18) for a week long run at the Henry Street venue.

Director Alan Pavis said having such an accomplished young cast had made rehearsals incredibly exciting.

“We are so fortunate to have been able to cast this show so well,” said Alan.

“It’s a brilliant, ground-breaking musical, but we really needed some powerful performers. And we’ve got them.

“Aaron Gibson is from Rugby, and he has appeared professionally at Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre as well as in the West End and more.

“Jamie Barnard played Harry Tallentire in the hugely successful production of The Hired Man at Leicester’s Curve in April.

“And Hollie Aires is an up-and-coming young singer and songwriter – also from Rugby – who has been performing at top shows and music festivals all over the country.

“If you go on to YouTube, you’ll see her version of the Aerosmith song ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing’ has been watched more than 177,000 times – and most people say it’s better than the original!

“We are also welcoming newcomers and familiar faces from all over the Midlands – including Laura Bent who is joining us from Market Harborough, and Tim Sell and Sophie Jones who will be remembered from summer’s smash-hit Avenue Q

Rent, written by American composer and playwright Jonathan Larson, tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive in New York City in the 1990s.

It exploded onto the musical theatre scene 20 years ago as part of a new generation of shows tackling hard, gritty themes in an uncompromising way.

Alan added: “Rent takes on really difficult issues like poverty, capitalism, disease and deprivation in a really inventive way. It’s a modern, rock reworking of the classical Puccini opera La Boheme – though it’s a long way from traditional opera.”

Tickets, priced £14 and £15, are available online at www.rugbytheatre or by calling .

Rehearsals for Rent have been "incredibly exciting" says director Alan Pavis. (s)

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