Underbelly, Francesca Moody Productions and Southbank Centre with Rachel Edwards and Winkler Smalberg, today announce the first ten Nutcracker Nights at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, featuring the brightest emerging jazz artists from Tomorrow’s Warriors and seasoned professionals Ben Brown, Marcio Philomena, Lulu Pierre and Ineza & Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories.
Nutcracker Nights is a series of live sessions from leading jazz and music artists. Following performances of The McOnie Company’s Nutcracker, Thursday – Sunday from 9 November, audiences are invited to continue a fun and festive evening at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, London’s hottest new pop-up venue, putting audiences at the centre of one of the coolest jazz clubs in town.
The producers of Nutcracker are delighted to be working in collaboration with the Southbank Centre’s long-term partner Tomorrow’s Warriors, a pioneering talent development organisation, creative producer, learning and training provider, giving a platform to some of their astonishing jazz musicians.
A Black-led organisation founded in 1991 by Janine Irons OBE and Gary Crosby OBE, Tomorrow’s Warriors plays a vital role in the UK music scene, pushing young talent to the forefront of the vibrant UK jazz scene and supporting those from challenging circumstances.
Gary Crosby OBE Co-Founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors Said: “We’re incredibly excited to see the creation of a pop-up venue beneath the Southbank Centre that is dedicated to jazz. We can’t wait to see the new interpretation of the Nutcracker and are delighted that audiences will also be able to catch some of Tomorrow’s Warriors’ finest young emerging artists as part of the programme.”
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, said: “This series of late night live sessions will offer Nutcracker audiences something completely unique in our new pop-up venue – the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club. Through our long-standing partnership, Tomorrow’s Warriors have become part of the Southbank Centre’s DNA, and we’re proud to be collaborating with them to platform the next generation of jazz stars as part of this new performance work.
Nutcracker Nights will be featured as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, 10 – 19 November 2023.
Further Nutcracker Nights to be announced. Admission for Nutcracker Nights is included in tickets purchased for Nutcracker. A small number of additional tickets will be available online on the Southbank Centre’s website and on the door.
The world premiere production of Nutcracker is directed and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie. This new version of the festive classic is playful, mischievous and a lot of fun. Dive into a glittering wonderland head on and prepare to reimagine everything with a jazz infused twist.
The McOnie Company’s Nutcracker is a thrilling reinvention of the timeless holiday classic.
Tchaikovsky’s world-famous score is reimagined by multi award-winning jazz artist Cassie Kinoshi for a swinging onstage jazz band, with dancers moving in and amongst the cabaret style seating bringing the storytelling and wild-spirited adventure of the Nutcracker to life.
The cast for Nutcracker includes Amonik Melaco (Action Man), Sam Salter (Clive) and Patricia Zhou (Sugarplum) with Chanelle Anthony, Christie Crosson, Tim Hodges, Lukas Hunt and Rachel Muldoon.
Nutcracker will be composed by Cassie Kinoshi with additional music by Rio Kai, venue and set design by Soutra Gilmour, costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight, music supervision by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, lighting design by Joshie Hariette, sound design by Simon Baker, and casting by Will Burton.
Nutcracker is a McOnie Company production produced by Underbelly, Francesca Moody Productions and Southbank Centre with Rachel Edwards and Winkler Smalberg.
