This week sees the opening of Lipstick – a brand new play written by Lily Shahmoon. The world premiere is being produced by one of Stage One’s New Producers Workshop alums, Rupert Henderson.
Rupert was awarded the Stage One Bursary which provides financial and practical assistance to help new producers get their first productions up and running. He’s a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and is no stranger to the stage. Before taking on the role of producer, he was an actor with credits that include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre) and Billy Elliot the Musical (Victoria Palace Theatre).
About the bursary, Rupert said: ‘I am hugely grateful to Stage One for their support of this exciting new play. It has been central to making the production possible, and I applaud their willingness to back new writing and new artists. The whole team cannot wait to bring this play to life at the Southwark Playhouse!’
Lipstick follows the story of Tommy, who is scared of everything. Especially the kids at school who would call him gay if they saw him putting on lipstick. Jordan isn’t scared of anything. He’s not scared that he likes the way Tommy looks in lipstick. Really, he’s not.
Female actors April Hughes and Helen Aluko will play Tommy and Jordan respectively in this timely story of young hearts and the rules that surround us all.
Writer Lily Shahmoon said: “It’s so exciting to be able to bring this play to a theatre with an open and encouraging attitude to new writing. Lipstick is a delicate, intimate play, that has found a suitably intimate home, and I can’t wait to share it.”
Director Ed White followed up by saying: “Lipstick is a human love story that transcends labels and our preconceptions of what it is to be ‘normal’ – I cannot wait for this production to contribute to the discussion.”
Lipstick will be supporting Diversity Role Model – an organisation that creates an LGBT+ inclusive environment where students are empowered to embrace difference and end bullying. Diversity Role Models will be hosting a Post-Show Talk on Thursday 12th March, and 50% of the sales for that performance will be donated to support their work.
To get tickets to Lipstick, visit the Southwark Playhouse website.