Perhaps the greatest sequel ever told, COOL RIDER, the cult musical sequel played at the Duchess Theatre for one week in April 2014, after the rapturous reception from the one night only concert at the Lyric Theatre in January 2014. The show was then immortalised in May 2015 with the Original Studio Cast Recording, funded by the fans through Kickstarter.
The film told the heady and daring love story of two unlikely lovers and their road to romance from bowling alley to burger joint, sing-a-long-a-sex education class to talent show, and long (beautifully lit) romantic motorcycle rides to a slightly incongruous luau ending. Much like its musical prequel, the story follows the ancient High School motto: if you want the guy/girl, change your personality beyond recognition and wear overly tight leather in the finale.
Featuring the songs: BACK TO SCHOOL SCORE TONIGHT COOL RIDER WHO'S THAT GUY? REPRODUCTION DO IT FOR OUR COUNTRY CHARADES PROWLIN' GIRL FOR ALL SEASONS (LOVE WILL) TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME ROCK-A-HULA-LUAU (SUMMER IS COMING) WE'LL BE TOGETHER and more!
Rocky-horror-esque...
the atmosphere is electric...
it's a speedy, exuberant and nostalgic run
Whatsonstage
COOL RIDER has its world premiere at London's Lyric Theatre on Monday 27th January 2014, receiving rapturous reception for the two sold out performances. The show then played the Duchess Theatre for a week over Easter 2014.
Co-conceived and produced by CHRISTOPHER D. CLEGG and JAMES DP DRURY, COOL RIDER was directed by GUY UNSWORTH, with Musical Direction, Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by LEE FREEMAN, Choreography by MATT KRZAN, Lighting Design by CHARLIE MORGAN JONES, Sound Design by DAVID BARTHOLOMEUSZ for ORBITAL, Costume Design by CHRISTOPHER WILMER, Narrative by MARK JONES and GUY UNSWORTH, Casting by JACOB SPARROW and Press Representation by MARK SENIOR PR. Assistant Direction by RICK WOSKA, Assistant Musical Direction by LIAM HOWLETT and Associate Choreography by CALLUM NICOL.
Ashleigh Gray
Aaron Sidwell
Reece Shearsmith
Nadine Cox
Hannah LeVane
Niall Sheehy
Bronté Barbé
Joshua Dowen
Evelyn Hoskins
Kane Oliver Parry
Ben Stott
Keys 1, Musical Director
Keys 2, Assistant Musical Director
Piccolo, Flute, Alto Sax & Baritone Sax
Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Bass Guitar
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Drums
Mark Benton
Niki Evans
Ashleigh Gray
Aaron Sidwell
Bronté Barbé
Stewart Clarke
Joshua Dowen
Luke Fetherston
Harry Francis
Lucinda Lawrence
Hannah LeVane
Rick Woska
Jak Allen Anderson
James Dart
Katy Hards
Fela Lufadeju
Danielle Mullan
Simone Murphy
Joseph O'Reilly
Lisa Ritchie
Parisa Shahmir
Keys 1, Musical Director
Keys 2, Assistant Musical Director
Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet & Alto Sax
Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Bass Guitar
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Drums
Brilliantly produced with a
huge band, amazing harmonies
incredible vocals
West End Wilma
In 2015 the Original Studio Cast Recording of COOL RIDER was released on CD, Vinyl and Digital. The album was funded entirely through Kickstarter with 235 people backing the project. This was a dream come true for producers Chris and James to have Lee Freeman's incredible orchestrations and arrangements immortalised with a fantastic vocal cast led by Aaron Sidwell and Ashleigh Gray, with Reece Shearsmith reprising his turn as Mr Stuart.
Released 29th June 2015
Keys 1
Keys 2
Reeds
Trumpet
Bass Guitar
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Drums
Percussion
Additional Percussion
Recorded and Mixed at
Voicebox ProductionsMusic Director, Orchestrator & Vocal Arranger
Lee FreemanProduction Manager
Samantha HooperAlbum Producers
Simon Small & Chloe HartKeyboard Programmer
Tom BarnesProducers
Christopher D. Clegg & James DP DruryProducer
Jean TuAssociate Producers
Niel Eckersley & Christopher MoldStudio Photography
Matt CrocketThe best night out you could hope to have in a theatre
cool rider is a triumph
and delivers in spades
The Public Reviews
We have lots of great things for you to look at, watch and listen to below. Just pick an option.
Cool Rider is nothing short of
irresistible fun
West End Frame
Pure hollywood magic
Brought to life on stage
Musical Theatre Review
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Please note that performance rights for Cool Rider are currently not available for amateur or professional groups. Contact us below if you wish to be informed when this changes.