V for Victory
V for Victory is a British musical exploring the lives of a group of friends in the resistance against the German occupation of Jersey during World War II.
Stage Production Notes
Writer Dries Janssens developed the idea for the musical after discovering stories about Jersey during the war, and realizing how little is taught about this chapter of British history. The resulting plot and characters are an amalgam of true stories and events.
In January 2018, Now You Know Productions launched a Kickstarter to fund a production of V for Victory. The campaign successfully raised just over £1000.
The first performance of V for Victory was scheduled to be a concert, however as rehearsals progressed, the company was offered lighting and set pieces to stage a full production. The resulting performance was put together in just 6 days.
V for Victory premiered with an abridged staged concert at the Stockwell Playhouse from March 26, 2018 and ran for two nights.
Even in its abridged form, V for Victory received warm praise with reviewers noting the unique narrative, heartfelt storytelling, and impressive immersive feel of the production. Alex Wadham (Captain Schneider), Aaron Banister-Davies (Thomas Carter), and Georgina Rose Hanson (Liz Edwards) also received universal praise for their performances. Reviewer Emily K Neal claimed the musical “packs a punch,” while West End Wilma’s Lee Knight summarized “this is a winner.”
V for Victory continues to be developed, and it is hoped a full production will be mounted by the end of 2021.
Writer Dries Janssens developed the idea for the musical after discovering stories about Jersey during the war, and realizing how little is taught about this chapter of British history. The resulting plot and characters are an amalgam of true stories and events.
In January 2018, Now You Know Productions launched a Kickstarter to fund a production of V for Victory. The campaign successfully raised just over £1000.
The first performance of V for Victory was scheduled to be a concert, however as rehearsals progressed, the company was offered lighting and set pieces to stage a full production. The resulting performance was put together in just 6 days.
V for Victory premiered with an abridged staged concert at the Stockwell Playhouse from March 26, 2018 and ran for two nights.
Even in its abridged form, V for Victory received warm praise with reviewers noting the unique narrative, heartfelt storytelling, and impressive immersive feel of the production. Alex Wadham (Captain Schneider), Aaron Banister-Davies (Thomas Carter), and Georgina Rose Hanson (Liz Edwards) also received universal praise for their performances. Reviewer Emily K Neal claimed the musical “packs a punch,” while West End Wilma’s Lee Knight summarized “this is a winner.”
V for Victory continues to be developed, and it is hoped a full production will be mounted by the end of 2021.
Filmed Production Notes
Now You Know Productions filmed the Stockwell Playhouse concert for use in re-writes, and to pitch to future investors and producers.
In response to COVID-19, the concert was released on YouTube on March 27, 2020, for a limited time.
Now You Know Productions filmed the Stockwell Playhouse concert for use in re-writes, and to pitch to future investors and producers.
In response to COVID-19, the concert was released on YouTube on March 27, 2020, for a limited time.
V for Victory PRODUCTION CREDITS
Opening Date: March 26, 2018
Closing Date: March 27, 2018
Air date: March 27, 2020
Medium: online
Where to watch: YouTube
Theatre: Stockwell Playhouse
Producer: Now You Know Productions
Book: Anthony Orme & Dries Janssens
Music: Günther Fiala
Lyrics: Dries Janssens & Anthony Orme
Director: Anthony Orme
Musical Director: Günther Fiala
Choreography: Emily-Jane Ashford
Lighting Design: Martin Bristow
Stage Manager: Freya Jefferies
Cast:
Aaron Bannister-Davies (Thomas), Georgina Rose Hanson (Liz), Alex Wadham (Capt. Schneider), Leanne Coupland (Judy), Lottie Johnson (Dani), Klemens Koehring (Col. Stolzmann), Ben Eagle (Bailiff Edwards), Gary O’Brien (Joe), Alice Merivale (Radio Host)
Opening Date: March 26, 2018
Closing Date: March 27, 2018
Air date: March 27, 2020
Medium: online
Where to watch: YouTube
Theatre: Stockwell Playhouse
Producer: Now You Know Productions
Book: Anthony Orme & Dries Janssens
Music: Günther Fiala
Lyrics: Dries Janssens & Anthony Orme
Director: Anthony Orme
Musical Director: Günther Fiala
Choreography: Emily-Jane Ashford
Lighting Design: Martin Bristow
Stage Manager: Freya Jefferies
Cast:
Aaron Bannister-Davies (Thomas), Georgina Rose Hanson (Liz), Alex Wadham (Capt. Schneider), Leanne Coupland (Judy), Lottie Johnson (Dani), Klemens Koehring (Col. Stolzmann), Ben Eagle (Bailiff Edwards), Gary O’Brien (Joe), Alice Merivale (Radio Host)
Sources
Articles
Websites
Other
- Lee Knight, “V for Victory (Stockwell Playhouse) ★★★★” West End Wilma (March 29, 2018)
- Emily K Neal, "V for Victory,” The Spy in the Stalls (March 27, 2018)
- Kayleigh Place, "REVIEW: V FOR VICTORY @ STOCKWELL PLAYHOUSE,” The Thespians Blog (March 29, 2018)
Websites
- Kickstarter, “V for Victory - A New Musical,” Accessed via: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1720967765/v-for-victory-a-new-musical
- Now You Know Productions, “Current Projects,” Accessed via: https://nowyouknowproductions.co.uk/current-projects
Other
- Author correspondence with Anthony Orme (April, 2020)
Written by Luisa Lyons (April, 2020)