It's a start, so can't complain

It’s not every day the theatre world receives a new “pop audiodrama”, but it’s getting one soon.

Can’t Complain, written and composed by Sam Easton, gets an airing in London this week, followed by a northern premiere at Manchester venue 53two on September 6.

“Audiodrama” implies a concert-show, and that’s what the two events are - Rice and Lloyd Webber-like, Easton and French are releasing the show’s music for general consumption before a stage show is on the horizon. These two events are a chance for an audience to listen to the music with suitable screened visuals. Whether Can’t Complain turns into a full stage show is a separate question.

Creative director Madison French explained: “We’re building up to the release of our first full-length original musical and marking the release of the full concept album with these two playback events. This is a fully self-produced and funded project, but we hope the album release will be just the beginning.”

The cast recently performed a cut-down version of the first act live at The Other Palace, a small London theatre dedicated to new shows. “I believe this show has a life on its feet, either on stage or perhaps even on screen,” Madison added.

Can’t Complain tells the story of a blossoming romance between Tom and Joanna, two late-teens rocked by the sudden suicide of Joanna’s father. With Joanna’s mother, Helen, they must keep calm and carry on while their hearts are broken. The show captures their year-long exploration of grief and recovery.

The show has been developed by Sam over the past eight years, and makes a bold claim about pushing British musical theatre into uncharted territory, with a score shaped by modern “hyperpop” and ambient electronica that manages to follow a traditional musical theatre sound.

Sam, who also performs under the name Sammy Lynne. is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and sound designer based in Manchester but originally from Kent. He already has two solo EPs to his name

If you can’t make it to the Manchester premiere, the full cast album will be available from September 10. A five-song highlights EP is currently available on Spotify and other streaming services.

More info and tickets here