Cast of "SOVIET ZION in Concert", London, August 2010

 

 

Kara Wenman who plays Zofia Liberman, trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama on the BA (Hons) Acting for Musical Stage course from 2007-2010. This is her first professional job since graduating in July and she is thrilled to be working on the project Soviet Zion. Her previous professional theatre credits include: Annie (UK tour); And the premiere performance of the new musical Noctropia at the Hampstead Theatre last year. Her television credits include: Melanie in Noah and Saskia (BBC/ABC television); television presenting for the Discovery Channel along with an advert and voiceover also for the Discovery Channel. Her credits whilst training include: The public performances of Victory by Howard Barker (Embassy Studio), where she played Ralph Undy and Cleveland; The musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Rupert Holmes (Embassy Theatre), where she starred as Edwin Drood; And a piece of new work by writer/director Fiona Laird called Keeping the Faith (Embassy Studio) in which she played the part of Jennifer.

 

 

 

 

 

Joanna Eliot who plays Mirele Liberman trained at The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and also at The Southbank Centre as a vocal artist in residence, as part of the Pulse scheme, led by Mary King. Theatre credits include: Teresa in Up the Duff (York Theatre Royal and The Orange Tree); The West End Chorus, with Cantabile and Maria Friedman (St. John's, Smith Square); Birgitta in An Evening with Gary Lineker, Rachel in Perfect Wedding, Jane Worthington in Out of Order and Jane Abbot in Time to Kill (The Mill at Sonning); Joan in Time and the Conways (Theatre Royal Bath, No.1 Tour); Princess Sabra in Carl Heap's St. George and the Dragon (The Royal Festival Hall); Dead Easy (creating the role of Becky Summers) and Katja in The Russian Girl (Mowlem Theatre); The Lady – Tribute to Sandy Denny, performances with Mary Epworth and PP Arnold (Queen Elizabeth Hall); Paco Pena's Requiem for the Earth (Royal Festival Hall); Life Along the Borderline - A Tribute to Nico, performances with John Cale and the Velvet Underground and Mark Linkaus (Royal Festival Hall); Snapshots (devised for the Hayward Gallery); performances at Glastonbury and Lovebox Festivals as part of duo, The Eliot Sisters. Film and television includes: Barbra in The Recital (ICA); Viola in Dark Film (Rockwood Pictures); Soprano in War Oratorio directed by James Kent (Channel 4); Young Margo in Beyond the Box (BBC2).  Joanna has also recently recorded vocals for Andrew Ellard's new radio 4 comedy, I'm Not With Him, with Chris Barrie and Hatty Hayridge. She continues her vocal studies under Jennifer Hill.

 

 

Kieran Wallace who plays Iser Liberman recently graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Kieran is thrilled to be part of Soviet Zion, which marks his professional debut. His credits whilst training include: Otto Frank in 'The Diary of Anne Frank', Rapunzels Prince in 'Into The Woods', A-rab in 'West Side Story', Darryl Van Horne in 'The Witches of Eastwick' and Melchior Gabor in 'Spring Awakening'. 

 

 

Lindsay Scigliano who plays Bayla Levin is originally from Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Lindsay studied theatre at the Randolph Academy of Performing Arts in Toronto before moving to the UK to complete her MA in Musical Theatre Performance at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Credits whilst training in Canada include Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Jurror 10, in Twelve Angry Men.  Credits whilst training in the UK include Camilla in Best Friends and Butterflies (RSAMD Workshop), ensemble in A Drop in the Ocean (Oran Mor), Jill in the original workshop of the new Musical From Up Here (RSAMD Workshop), Self in Black Cats and Blue Angels Cabaret (The Arches Theatre).  Her UK credits include: Mazie/Ensemble in Once Upon A Time a the Adelphi (Union Theatre), Hick in First Lady Suite (Edinburgh Festival) and The Valkyrie/Audience in Jerry Springer: The Opera (Edinburgh Festival).  She is thrilled to call London her new home!

  

 

Michael Storrs who plays Oskar Levin in SOVIET ZION first discovered his passion for singing after taking part in his school's production of 'Les Miserables'. While completing a degree in Business Management at University College London, Michael continued to pursue his interest in performing by taking part in a wide variety of productions while studying part-time at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Some of his recent roles include Clifford Bradshaw in 'Cabaret', Sky Masterson in 'Guys and Dolls' and the title roles in 'Jekyll and Hyde' the Musical (all performed in the Bloomsbury Theatre London). Since graduating in 2007 Michael spent a year studying Opera at the Utrecht Conservatoire, before returning to London to work as Orchestra Manager for London Festival Orchestra. Michael has just finished training at the Royal Academy of Music on the postgraduate Musical Theatre course, during which he was kindly supported by the BBC Performing Arts Fund, Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award and the John Thaw Trust. Michael's more recent performances have included backing vocals for Robbie Williams on the 'Ant and Dec Christmas Show' and the final of 'Britain's Got Talent', performing with Elton John at the Royal Albert Hall and most recently as Count Carl-Magnuss Malcolm in the Royal Academy of Music's production of 'A Little Night Music'.


 

 

 
Matthew McLoughlin who plays David Cohen recently graduated from The Arts Educational Schools this June and is very excited to be taking part in the show, making his professional debut.  Matthew's roles whilst at college included 'Prince Escalus' in the World Premiere Cast of 'Romeo and Juliet The Rock Opera' and 'Tumblebrutus' in 'Cats'.

 

 

 

 

Naomi Kilby who plays Frumke Cohen, trained at Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with a BMus (Hons) First Class, and the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest as a recipient of the Weingarten Scholarship. Whilst at Birmingham Conservatoire, roles include Miss Wordsworth Albert Herring, Spirit Dido and Aeneas, Frasquita Carmen, Dalinda Ariodante and Cleopatra Giulio Cesare (all scenes), Susanna (cover) Le Nozze Di Figaro and in 2005 Naomi created the role of Judith in the world premiere of Dee by Robin Grant. Professional credits include ensemble in La Boheme, Orpheus in the Underworld (2009), Fidelio, Don Giovanni (2010) all Opera Holland Park, Tree Sprite Fantastic Mr Fox (UK Premiere) OHP, Adele Die Fledermaus Opera South East, ensemble Riders to the Sea Minotaur Music Theatre and Opera Galas for European Chamber Opera. As a Jazz singer, Naomi has performed throughout the South East as a guest soloist with the Lynda Murray Group and as an Oratorio soloist Naomi has performed most of the major soprano solos in the repertoire with choirs throughout the Midlands and the South East. Naomi continues her studies under Louise Crane.

 

 

 

 

 

Geoffrey Strum who plays Zuriel Cohen gained a BA (Hons) at Middlesex University and has studied singing at Morley Opera School. He has sung principal roles for many Opera Companies including Opera UK, European Chamber Opera, AAC Opera For All, Palace Opera, Southgate Opera, Beaufort Opera and the Victor Morris Opera Studio.    These roles include, Lenski (Eugene Onegin), Eisenstein & Alfred (Die Fledermaus), Tamino & Monostatos (The Magic Flute), Tito (La Clemenza di Tito), Belmonte (Die Entfuhrung), Basilio (Marriage of Figaro), Alfredo (La Traviata), The Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto), Goro (Madama Butterfly), The Magician (The Consul), Sam Polk (Susannah), Faust (Faust), Boles & The Rector (Peter Grimes), Don Jose & Remendado (Carmen), Micaela (The St. Of Bleeker Street), Camille (Merry Widow), Beppe (I Pagliacci), Peachum & Macheath (Beggars Opera), Mack Sennett (Mack & Mabel) and the Buffo Tenor Roles (Tales of Hoffman). Geoff has also sung principal roles in both the world debuts of The Whitechapel Whirlwind and Runnymede For All. TV Credits include One Foot InThe Grave and The Bill - playing a very drunken Tenor! His many acting roles include Giles Corey (The Crucible), Nicola (Arms And The Man), Nagg (Endgame) and Leon (Fools). He recently completed his fourth consecutive season with Opera Holland Park. Geoff has his own solo act which he performs throughout the country and also sings with the Not Pavarotti Quartet.   His repertoire includes popular arias, songs from Operetta and The Musicals, Jazz Standards, Gilbert & Sullivan and Neapolitan Songs.

 

 

 

 

Amand Bailey  who is in the ensemble recently graduated with an MA in Musical Theatre from Central School of Speech and Drama in 2009. Prior to this she graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London with a 2.1 in Classical Music. At Goldsmiths her roles included Second Woman in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Meredith Parker in Bat Boy and Florence in Chess. Her roles whilst at Central include the Pedigree Dog in The Year Of The Pig. Amanda is an avid musician and enjoys playing guitar and ukulele. She is also lead vocalist for progressive metal band Splintered Soul who have been selected to play the prestigious Bloodstock festival this summer.

 
 

Alexander Beck who sings in the ensemble of SOVIET ZION graduated in 2009 from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts with a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. Since graduating, Alex toured with The People's Theatre Company in the National Tour of 'Bink and the Hairy Fairy', playing 'Bink'. He also performed in the Stephen Sondheim Review at the Jermyn Street Theatre. Mountview credits include 'Officer Krupke'/'Gladhand' in 'Westside Story' (Albany Theatre), 'Fleetwood' in 'The Life' (Albany Theatre), 'John Proctor' in 'The Crucible' (Karamel Club), 'Tyler' in Stephen Sondheim's 'Merrily We Roll Along' (Chelsea Theatre).  Alex also performs Stand Up at a number of London venues.

 

 

Cassandra Charlick appeared in the ensemble of the World Premier Recital of SOVIET ZION. Born in Perth, Western Australia she trained at The Western Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Since moving to London she has sung at The Royal Festival Hall, worked on a Bollywood feature film, appeared as a lead vocalist in a UK Music Hall tour and performed in several cabarets. Most recently she completed the Musical Theatre Intensive at the Associated Performers Studio. Previous roles include Nancy in Oliver!, Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest, Bombalarina in Cats, Helena in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew and Kathy in Whistle Down the Wind. Other musicals include Les Miserables, My Fair Lady and Aspects of Love. She has appeared in several short films and is an experienced cabaret artist, regularly performing with the Smashed Up Soiree.

 
 

SOVIET ZION is a work-in-progress by writers Giles Howe and Katy Lipson.

 

 

Giles Howe is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of A STAGE KINDLY and recently performed in 'Chess in Concert' at the Royal Albert Hall, and is more recently toured China and then Japan as a vocalist with The 12 Tenors. He was recently a featured vocalist in a gospel choir in Stockholm where he was also involved in setting up the G&S Danshuset dance academy, and recently recorded his second project in Israel with a forthcoming single release: "Torn Between Two Memories". He choreographed and danced in the pantomimes 'Aladdin' and 'Cinderella' in Winchester, and teaches piano and singing. His extensive and diverse back catalogue of composition includes a postponed musical called 'Mind The Gap', and musical works-in-progress "Lady Jane" about the nine-day Tudor queen, and "The Juniper Tree". Please visit http://www.turkishdelighttheopera.com for a more detailed biography and some more examples of Giles' work.

 

Katy Lipson is co-founder, Musical, and Artistic Director of A STAGE KINDLY. She recently returned from European Tour of 'The 12 Tenors' as Musical Director. She trained at the London School of Musical Theatre, and has a BMus from Goldsmiths. She is not only a musician, but also a singer, actress, composer, and music/drama teacher. Her professional credits include the world premiere of Charles Miller's 'Jason and the Argonauts' at the Cochrane Theatre, London, the West End workshop of 'Zorro', 'Jack and the Beanstalk' at the Liverpool Everyman, and 'The Last 5 Years' at RADA. She was also Assistant Musical Director on the tour of 'Hot Flush' starring Sheila Ferguson and Marti Webb. Most recently Katy appeared in 'Chess in Concert' at The Royal Albert Hall, and she currently works as a vocal coach at The BRIT School.  

 

 

 

Katy and Giles met as students in 2002 whilst performing in Kander & Ebb's 'Cabaret'. They most recently worked together on the third London run of a musical called Turkish Delight the Opera which you can experience at http://www.turkishdelighttheopera.com before founding The A STAGE KINDLY New Musical Theatre Initaitive www.astagekindly.com an organisation dedicated to supporting the future of new musical theatre around the world.

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The following performers were featured in the Preview Showcase of Soviet Zion presented in October 2009.

 

 

Arabella Rodrigo studied Jazz, Musical Theatre and Opera at the London College of Music. She was invited by Eddie Harvey to sing at the Ealing Jazz Festival in 2003, marking her professional debut. She then completed her training at the Royal Academy of Music, where she appeared in the choir for 'Jason Robert Brown and Friends' (New Players Theatre 2005). Whilst at the Academy, her theatrical roles included Maria in 'Nine' and Thaisa in Shakespeare's 'Pericles'. Since graduating, her theatrical credits include Coco in the workshops of 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (Criterion Theatre 2006), Mother Maria in 'Casanova' (Tristan Bates Theatre 2007), Townswoman/cover Luisa in 'Zorro the Musical' (UK tour 2008), The Girl in 'The Nightingale and the Rose' (Arcola Theatre 2008), Claudia in 'Nine' (Rose and Crown 2008), the lead singer in 'A Celebration of Sondheim' (Rose and Crown 2008) and 'The Jason Robert Brown Songbook' (Rose and Crown 2009). This year Arabella has been busy filming for "A Drop of the Pure" in Barcelona (Fascination Pictures 2009), in which she played the role of Natalia before putting on her own production of 'December Songs in May' (Rose and Crown 2009). She recently played the lead roles in both 'Gutter Press the Opera and the A STAGE KINDLY recital of Giles Howe and Katy Lipson's 'Turkish Delight the Opera' and most recently was a lead vocalist in "Bravo" the revue of international new musical theatre writing produced by the A STAGE KINDLY New Musical Theatre Initative and also 'Ballets Russes' playing the prima ballerina Matilda Tschessinska.

 
Julia Buckley created the role of Zofia in the preview showcase of SOVIET ZION, after studying at The Australian Institute of Music on Scholarship where she attained a Diploma and Bachelor of Music (Honours). She has performed many lead roles including Cunnegonde in Bernstein's 'Candide'. Other professional credits include both concerts and recitals at The Sydney Opera House, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, NSW Art Gallery, and the Opera at Rivendell Series. Before moving to the UK, Julia was showcased in many  competitions; most recently winning Big M Productions' "Search for a Musical Theatre Star". Julia is still a member of the four-piece classical ensemble Il Bel Mondo performing in private and corporate functions around the Sydney area. She has recorded vocal tracks for the stage spectacular 'Burn the Floor' and also for winner of the ARIA award, Alex Lloyd.  She recently returned to her native Australia where she will continue both training and her professional career in Opera.
 
 

Nancy Hill created the role of Bayla Levin in the preview showcase of Soviet Zion. She recently graduated from The London School of Musical Theatre, prior to this completing a foundation course in Musical Theatre at the Moutview Academy. Whilst in training, roles included Phebe in "As You Like It", Mrs Brown in Charles Miller's 'Roadways and Devon in Hope.