The full cast is announced for a thrilling new production of Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows’ How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Southwark Playhouse (Borough) from 12 May – 17 June.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a comic gem that took Broadway by storm in 1961, winning both the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize. It boasts an exhilarating score by Frank Loesser – one of America’s great composer/lyricists, also responsible for ‘Guys & Dolls’ (currently a massive hit at the Bridge Theatre) – including ‘I Believe in You’, ‘Brotherhood of Man’ and ‘The Company Way’.
A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, it follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (voiced in the Southwark production by Michelle Visage of ‘Ru Paul’s Drag Race’ fame) to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant “company man”, the office party, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.
Joining the previously announced Tracie Bennett, who will play the male role of J.B. Biggley, President of the World Wide Wicket Company, are:
Annie Aitken (she/her) as Hedy LaRue.
An Australian music theatre leading lady, Annie’s many leading roles include Millie Dumont in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ opposite Marina Prior, and Cunégonde in ‘Candide’ at the Sydney Opera House opposite Caroline O’Connor, Paulette in ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’, Nellie Melba (lead role) in ‘Melba: A New Musical’ and the original cast of ‘Muriel’s Wedding the Musical’. In the UK she was Madame in ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ at Hope Mill Theatre.
Taylor Bradshaw (he/him) as Mr Bert Bratt.
Taylor was in the recent acclaimed production of ‘Spring Awakening’ at Almeida Theatre and ‘42nd Street’ at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris. He will be seen in the upcoming ‘Barbie’ feature film.
Allie Daniel (she/her) as Rosemary Pilkington.
Allie’s recent credits include ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’, directed by Lucy Moss at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, ‘Happy Meal’ (Theatre Royal Plymouth), ‘Priscilla Queen Of The Desert’ (UK tour), and ‘Rent’ (Hope Mill Theatre).
Gabrielle Friedman (she/they) as J. Pierrepont Finch.
A recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Gabrielle was in the ‘Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends’ West End gala and ‘Maria & Friends: Legacy’ (Menier Chocolate Factory). While training she played Mary Flynn in Sondheim’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’.
Elliot Gooch (he/him) as Bud Frump.
Elliot’s recent credits include Dorian Gray in ‘Dorian: A Rock Musical’ (The Other Palace), 1st Cover Danny & Kenickie in ‘Grease’ (UK tour), ‘Once On This Island’ (Southwark Playhouse). He can be see in the film ‘All Those Things’.
Grace Kanyamibwa (she/her) as Miss Jones.
A recent graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Grace’s credits include ‘The Book of Mormon’ (UK tour). While training she played The Player in ‘Pippin‘ and Rose in ‘Gypsy’.
Danny Lane (he/him) as Mr Twimble/Mr Wally Womper.
Danny recently appeared in the West End as Dating Agency Agent in ‘Only Fools and Horses the Musical’. He was Comptroller Schub in ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ (Southwark Playhouse), ‘Soho Cinders’ (Charing Cross Theatre) and Kris Kringle in ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (UK tour).
Milo McCarthy (they/them) as Mr Milton Gatch.
A recent graduate of Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Milo recently toured the UK as Billy in ‘Birds and the Bees’, and was in ‘Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ (Hope Mill Theatre). While training they played the title role in ‘Pippin’.
Verity Power (she/her) as Smitty.
Verity’s recent credits include ‘Trump L’Oeil’ (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Marilyn Monroe in ‘Blonde’ and ‘Zombies: The Musical’ (The Other Palace)
Tracie Bennett (she/her) as J.B. Biggley
Last seen in London as Carlotta in the National Theatre production of ‘Follies’, Tracie recently played Alice in ‘Hangmen’ on Broadway and starred as Mame in ‘Mame’ at Hope Mill Theatre. She is also well known for playing the role of Sharon Gaskell in ‘Coronation Street’ from 1982 to 1984, returning to the role in 1999 and again in 2021. Among her many musical theatre starring roles, she received two Olivier Awards for Best Supporting Role in a Musical for her performances in the musicals ‘She Loves Me’ and ‘Hairspray’ with additional nominations for her work in ‘High Society’ and ‘Follies’. She was also nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical as Mrs Henderson in ‘Mrs Henderson Presents’, while her performance as Judy Garland in ‘End of the Rainbow’ earned her an Olivier nomination for Best Actress in a Play and a Tony Award nomination in the same category when the production transferred to Broadway.
