Philip Joel, who you may know from his hilarious and satirical online sketches during lockdown and David Muscat of Emerge Production House, have joined forces to create a new, unique theatrical sitcom. At a time when many are starved of theatrical entertainment they both saw an opportunity to develop a concept with the aim of delivering ‘a little bit of theatre, into the comfort of people’s homes’.
The result: an endearingly comical insight into the journey of putting together London’s latest pantomime – The Fosse Forest Ballet.
The Fosse Forest Ballet stars Kerry Ellis, Louise Dearman, Philip Joel (Closer to Heaven), Amy Bailey (The Producers), Zoe Birkett (The Bodyguard), Nuwan Hugh-Perera (Side Show), David Muscat (Billy Elliot), Oliver Savile (Wicked), and Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Dreamgirls).
With many theatre professionals involved both behind and in front of the camera, The Fosse Forest Ballet is directed by Racky Plews (American Idiot), filmed on location at Upstairs At The Gatehouse by Graded Films, with music by Adam Langston (films: Cats, Les Misérables), animation by Bruno Collins (Treasure Island) and assistant direction by Blair Anderson (Mary Poppins).
The pilot episode will be released online exclusively at www.thefosseforestballet.com. For the price of a West End coffee (£3.49) viewers can enjoy the 40-minute episode filled with humour, drama and several of Philip Joel’s much-loved characters.
All profits raised will be donated back into the theatre community via two nominated charities, with a goal of raising £10,000 to be distributed between Acting for Others which provides support for artists, and Theatres Trust which provides support for venues across the country.
Philip Joel says “What started out as a few silly videos in my living room has turned into acting alongside my absolute theatre faves, whilst giving back to the industry that I love.”
Take a look at them in filming:
