EastEnders star Max Bowden, Paul Jacob French and Tori Allen-Martin will star as Rico ‘Ratzo’ Rizzo, Joe Buck and Cass respectively in the world premiere of Midnight Cowboy – A New Musical, which opens at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 4 April 2025.
This powerful adaptation has a book by Bryony Lavery, writer of the Tony-nominated play Frozen, which breathes new life into the classic story, exploring the depths of friendship and ambition, and soundtrack by three-time Ivor Novello Award-winning composer Francis “Eg” White, who has written songs for Adele, Sam Smith, Florence + The Machine and James Morrison.
The new musical is based on the novel by James Leo Herlihy which inspired the beloved triple Academy Award-winning 1969 film, starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman. Midnight Cowboy captures the gripping tension of dreaming big whilst trying to survive the grind of New York City.
Joe Buck is a young man desperate to escape his dead-end past. Leaving everything behind, to seek wealth and glory in the big city, he meets a man just as lost as he is – Rico ‘Ratso’ Rizzo. The pair join forces, prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams, even if it means surrendering a part of themselves. But New York ain’t no dream – it’s a jungle and survival requires sacrifice…
Max Bowden is best known for playing Ben Mitchell in the BBC 1 soap EastEnders. Prior to this he had a leading role in Waterloo Road and starred in the 2015 UK tour and 2020 online production of Original Theatre Company’s production of Birdsong. He returned to the production in the role of Jack Firebrace in the 2024 UK tour.
Paul Jacob French was nominated for Best Performer in a Musical at the 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards for his portrayal of Kenickie in the West End production of Grease at the Dominion Theatre. He has most recently starred in An Officer and a Gentleman’s UK and Ireland tour, the UK tour of Annie! and Curve Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz.
Tori Allen-Martin is a regular in BBC 1 comedy Here We Go. She was previously seen as a leading regular in four series of BBC’s London Kills and as a regular on Channel 4’s Pure. Her other television credits include, Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Significant Other and Plebs.
Also starring in Midnight Cowboy – A New Musical will be Elena Breschi as Delores, Joanne Henry as Grandma Sally, Nick Len as Swing, Hollie-Ann Lowe as Swing, Dean Makowski-Clayton as Student, Christian Maynard as Tombaby, Phoebe Roberts as Chalkline Annie, Tim Rogers as Woodsy Niles, Rohan Tickell as Mr O’Daniel and Matthew White as Towny.
Midnight Cowboy will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston with musical arrangements, orchestrations and musical supervision by Charlie Ingles and musical direction by Ellie Verkerk. Midnight Cowboy is produced by ADAMA Entertainment.
Midnight Cowboy – A New Musical runs at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 4 April to 17 May 2025. Tickets here.
