We've got an exclusive first look at the casting for our new musical The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency, co-produced with Cardboard Citizens for Coventry UK City of Culture
We’re delighted to be announcing the casting for the world-premiere of our electrifying new musical, The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency.
Running from Sat 9 – Sat 16 Oct, the feel-good musical about community and DIY activism from the 1970s, based on an original work by the late activist, poet and playwright, Heathcote Williams.
The eight-strong cast announced today is Hannah Azuonye, Matt Burns, Hollie Cassar, Wesley Charles, Daisy Ann Fletcher, Benji Lord, Joseph Tweedale and Sarah Workman.
Hannah Azuonye (Ally) and Hollie Cassar (Rosie), Photo by Joe Bailey
Joseph Tweedale (John “Mad Dog” Sky) and Wesley Charles (Cliff), Photo by Joe Bailey
Daisy Ann Fletcher (Lu) and Sarah Workman (Cheffie), Photo by Joe Bailey
Benji Lord (Dave), Photo by Joe Bailey
(L-R) Matt Burns (Alan), Joseph Tweedale (John “Mad Dog” Sky) and Wesley Charles (Cliff), Photo by Joe Bailey
Ruff Tuff tells the true story of a group of revolutionaries, artists and free-thinkers who created the world’s first estate agency for squatters, offering free housing for anyone in need, and founded their own 1.8-acre microstate called ‘The Free and Independent Republic of Frestonia’ in Notting Hill in 1977.
Directed by the Cardboard Citizens’ founding Artistic Director, Adrian Jackson, Ruff Tuff is written by Coventry-born playwright, Sarah Woods, and features original music by former lead guitarist of the ground-breaking collective Chumbawamba, Boff Whalley.
Joining the cast of The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency is a brand new choir uniting local people with lived experience of homelessness, formed in partnership with The Choir with No Name.
Cardboard Citizens have been working in Coventry since March, and 11 of the community chorus were participants in their Cardboard Camps residency which took place in B2 in July.
“It’s so exciting to be telling the story of Frestonia with a super-talented cast. We need these stories of community and resilience as we emerge from this terrible time - art and activism really can change the world.”
The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency makes its world premiere on our Main Stage from Sat 9 – Sat 16 Oct. Tickets are available now.