By TNH Staff
October 30, 2019
The hit British film Papadopoulos & Sons has been adapted into a musical by writer/director Marcus Markou, with music by John Themis. Photo: Amazon
LONDON, UK – The cast of the new musical Papadopoulos! was announced on October 29 ahead of a workshop reading scheduled for November 26 at The Other Place Theatre in London, Broadway World reported. The musical is based on the British hit film Papadopoulos & Sons (2013), a comedy which starred Stephen Dillane as a Greek immigrant and self-made millionaire in the food industry who is forced to reunite with his estranged brother, Spiros, when the financial crisis topples his empire. The brothers resolve to re-open the fish and chips shop they once ran together, and comedic hijinks ensue.
The cast for the musical includes Antony Costa as Uncle Spiros, Vas Constanti as Harry Papadopoulos, and Hiba Elchikhe as Katie Papadopoulos, Harry’s daughter. Greek-Cypriot on his father’s side and Jewish on his mother’s, Costa is best known in Britain as a member of the pop group Blue. His theatre credits include Blood Brothers and Rock of Ages.
Constanti’s West End credits include Miss Saigon, The Rocky Horror Show, and In The Heights. Hiba Elchikhe recently appeared in Brooklyn The Musical at Greenwich Theatre and has also appeared as Princess Jasmine in the Australian production of Disney’s Aladdin.
Also in the cast: Andy Owens (Posh, Blood Brothers), Lewis Fernee (The King & I, Mary Poppins), Julie Armstrong (Follies, Spend Spend Spend), Emily Bull (Matilda, Mary Poppins), Caroline Kay (The Clockmakers Daughter), Michael Pickering (Wicked, Jersey Boys), Johan Munir (It Happened in Key West, Little Women), Tiran Aakel (The Jungle, EastEnders), and Melissa Nettleford (Mamma Mia, On The Town).
The film’s writer and director Marcus Markou adapted Papadopoulos & Sons for the stage with composer John Themis. Greek-Cypriot Markou wrote, directed, produced and self-distributed the film in 2013. “It achieved the second highest screen average of any film in its opening weekend, subsequently being sold to Netflix, the BBC and ARTE,” Broadway World reported. Musician and songwriter Themis is best known for his collaboration with Boy George and Culture Club, acting as Musical Director for their live tours and albums as well as writing more than 100 songs with George and the band. Themis also co-wrote the smash-hit musical Taboo, Broadway World reported.
Markou told Broadway World, “The riches to rags story of losing everything, only to find it all, is a timeless one. Whilst Papadopoulos! is culturally specific it is, like the film, universally humane and will appeal to all families everywhere. The message that success is only measured by the joy you feel, was made for a musical. OPA!”
Themis told Broadway World, “Working with Marcus has been joyous, inspirational, and honest. The musical influences are varied from, Ska, 60’s, Grime, Ballads, Rock, with Greek overtones woven in here and there where appropriate. With our amazing cast, let’s hope it will soar to the heights of Olympus!”
The musical Papadopoulos! features book and lyrics by Marcus Markou with music by John Themis. Tania Azevedo directs the workshop reading with musical direction by Tansy Aked and casting by Leon Kay Casting.
The industry sharing of Papadopoulos! takes place on Tuesday, November 26, 2 PM, at The Other Palace Theatre in London.
More information and tickets available via email: [email protected].
