Jon Brittain is the writer of the new expanded version of Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!, the sell-out smash-hit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022, which returns this summer for a four week run at Underbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe from 2 – 27 August
It will then be touring to Bristol Old Vic from 13 – 30 September and HOME Manchester from 5 – 21 October.
The acclaimed original cast will reprise their roles in the hilarious murder mystery musical including Bronté Barbé (Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) as Kathy, Rebekah Hinds (Oklahoma! Young Vic/ West End) as Stella, Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages, West End) as Felicia, TJ Lloyd (Guys and Dolls, Sheffield Crucible) as Justin, and Imelda Warren-Green (Doctor Who: Time Fracture, Immersive LDN) as Erica. The following new cast will be joining the existing original company: Jacob Kohli, Chelsea Hall and Sarah Pearson.
Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder! returns to Edinburgh Fringe this year, what can you tell us about the musical?
Kathy and Stella is a comedy murder mystery musical about two true crime obsessed best friends who take it upon themselves to try and solve an actual murder. Even though they have no idea what they’re doing. Very funny, very silly, very sweet, with some absolutely cracking tunes from composer Matthew Floyd Jones, and PHENOMENAL performances from a cast of West End stars.
It’s a fast paced, twist-filled, delightfully bonkers 90 minutes. If you’ve ever enjoyed a true crime story, you’ll love it. If you haven’t, you’ll still probably love it. At its heart it’s the story of a friendship – Kathy and Stella – two misfits on a mission. If you’ve ever bonded with somebody over a hobby that no one else seems to get – this show is for you.
This is an expanded version from last year’s hit run, what extra goodies can we expect this time round?
New songs, new plot twists, a new co-director in Fabian Aloise (stepping up from movement director last year). We’ve expanded the story, the cast and the band. Last year, we performed the show in a 200 seat in-the-round venue with five performers and a piano. It was so exciting but it felt like the show was ripping at the seams. It just wanted to be bigger.
This year, we’ve tried to follow that impulse – whilst also hopefully keeping the homemade, rough around the edges feel to the original. So I don’t want to spoil too much, but just to say that every member of the team has stepped up to expand the show in fun and creative ways. We’re working with a fantastic music team and band who have grown the music into what sounds at times like a full on rock-opera. It’s going to be epic.
What inspired you to write the show?
The idea had been knocking around for a while – two true crime obsessives who have to try and solve a crime themselves – but I didn’t know what form it should take. And didn’t really have time to work it out. When lockdown begin in 2020, Francesca Moody and I were a few weeks away from opening Richard Gadd’s (incredible) play Baby Reindeer in the West End.
Obviously in the space of a few hours all of that went away and I was left with very little to do. Matthew and I had been talking about working on a new musical for years since our last show – but the one we attempted to write just wasn’t coming. A few zoom sessions in, I mentioned this idea and Matthew leapt on it. He’s a massive true crime nerd and loved it from moment one. Over the next few weeks, we started to get ideas down and the characters of Kathy and Stella came to life.
What surprised you most about the success the musical had last year?
I naturally assume everything’s going to be a disaster. A while ago I told our dramaturg Gill Greer that I thought I was a “very positive person” – to which she promptly laughed in my face. So basically that is to say that all of it took me by surprise. But on another level, I’m not at all surprised that the hard work of a bunch of hugely talented people was recognised.
Matthew is a superb composer who’s written a show stuffed full of brilliant, beautiful and funny songs, the cast are on another level – the most talented bunch you’ll see at the fringe, the creative team are all tremendous. I could gush forever. The show was made with passion and care by great people who really loved it. So I won’t be surprised if people fall in love with it all over again… but obviously I also assume it will be a disaster!
Rebekah Hinds and Bronté Barbé are reprising their roles, what do you love most about their portrayal of Kathy and Stella?
The thing I love most is that they chose to do the show in the first place – and that they came back. They’re both West End stars who signed up to do a fringe show by a pair of writers who had only written half a dozen songs previously. I’m so grateful that they, and the other cast members, did that.
Having people of their calibre elevates the show so much. They’re so smart and intuitive. Bex and Bronté both have an incredible commitment to truthfulness – but they combine it with razor sharp comedy instincts.
They are SO funny. But never at the expense of their characters’ integrity. They’re both wonderful clowns but they can also break your heart. Of course they both have phenomenal voices. And they’re also friends in real life. When our casting director first approached Bronté about the part, she immediately called Bex to tell her she’d be perfect for the other… luckily we had also approached Bex too.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder!?
West End level talent on a fringe stage. We’ve got stars from Oklahoma!, Newies and more. Choreographed by an Olivier Award nominee. With loads of jokes, banging tunes, heartbreak and a little bit of satire too. It’s a show that blew the roof off with just five people and a piano now has a cast of seven and a full band. It’s joyful, silly, life-affirming and I defy you not to leave singing all the songs. Basically, it’s a perfect fringe night out. So come along and bring all your friends.
