“Joe buck, you are a cowboy now”
How big can a dream become before it breaks?
Two broken souls stumble the streets, misfits, clutching to a fragile hope of finding fortune around the corner. The dark corners and harsh flickering neon of New York City await, as Midnight Cowboy, a new musical, makes its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant.
Starring Paul Jacob French (An Officer and A Gentleman & Grease (London and UK Tour)) as Joe Buck is a young man desperate to escape his dead-end past. Leaving everything behind, Joe turns to sex work in pursuit of wealth and belonging in the unforgiving city, where he meets a man just as lost as he is – Rico ‘Ratso’ Rizzo, played by Max Bowden (Eastenders (BBC) &Birdsong (UK Tour)). 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…
Based on the novel by James Leo Herlihy and 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.
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, Florence + The Machine and James Morrison.
Access Performances
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted: Tuesday 22 April 7pm
Captioned Performance: Wednesday 30 April 7pm
Details
Theatre: Main Space
Mon – Sat: 7pm
Thu & Sat: 2.30pm
Running Time: 2hrs 30mins including interval
No re-entry.
We strongly advise that you arrive early and take your seats in advance of the start time as there is a no latecomers policy.
Recommended for ages 15+
This production contains partial nudity, flashing lights, blood, smoking, naked flames, scenes depicting physical and sexual assault, including rape, themes of sex work, drug use, violence, illness, death, and strong language throughout.
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted: Tuesday 22 April 7pm
Captioned Performance: Wednesday 30 April 7pm
photography
production shots
Photography by Pamela Raith
Songs by FRANCIS ‘Eg’ White
The Company
Max Bowden
Rico ‘Ratso’ Rizzo
Paul Jacob French
Joe Buck
Tori Allen-Martin
Cass
Elena Breschi
Delores
Joanne Henry
Grandma Sally
Nick Len
Swing
Hollie-Ann Lowe
Swing
Dean Makowski-Clayton
Student
Christian Maynard
Tombaby
Pheobe Roberts
Chalkline Annie
Tim Rodgers
Woodsy Niles
Rohan Tickell
Mr O Daniel
