Our next big show…

Level Up!

by Lucy Watson & Julian Kirk

Level Up! is a musical comedy developed in Bristol by a team of South-West based creatives.  It’s already had its first fifteen minutes of showtime at the Bristol Old Vic New Writing Festival in June 2024, and subsequently received R&D funding to develop the script and songbook.  It has now been through the R&D process, has a full songbook and is hoping for a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025.  

See our Events page for sneak peaks, previews and cabaret performances of the songbook or keep scrolling for more about the show!

About the show

"What if life were a game?

 

Level Up! is a fast-paced musical comedy about three young gamers who try and play life like a game. Jo wants to rule the world, Raff wants to change it, and Bobby just wants to escape reality for as long as he can.  But levelling up - whether in cryptocurrency, charity, or purpose – is harder than it looks, especially when a comically distracting cutscene chorus keeps butting in with unwanted advice and unreliable information.  How do you win?  

Save the world! Risk it all! And if you fail, just play again!

Featuring a dazzling mix of retro-futuristic beats, old-school swing, and 8-bit gaming melodies, Level Up! playfully satirizes the blurred lines between virtual and real worlds. With its comically chaotic cutscene chorus, relatable characters, and irresistibly catchy songs, this musical has something for everyone!

From the rehearsal room

Photography by Dotty McCormack and Jacob Whitehorn

Live in action….

Here are some sneak peaks, taken from our live performance in the Western Studio at Bristol old Vic Theatre, Bristol

Meet our Edinburgh Fringe Cast!

  • Troy Yip

    Troy Yip as JO

    Troy Yip (he/him) is an actor and composer based in London and Shanghai, with an MA in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Music. Performing credits include Schroeder in ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’, Jon in ‘Tick, Tick…Boom!’ and Cover Mark in ‘Rent’. Troy’s original musical “蝶变·the Butterfly on the Bund” is currently playing a long-running Chinese National Tour and in residence in South Korea.

  • Joe Pieri (He/him)

    Joe Pieri as BOBBY

    Joe Pieri (he/him) trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts (Musical Theatre) and University of Cambridge (History, BA Hons. and Masters in Modern British History). 

    Theatre credits include: Coming to England (UK Tour); The Roles We’ll Never Play (Clapham Grand); Simply Barbra (Crazy Coqs).Credits while training: Oscar in Sweet Charity; Bruce in Fun Home. 

  • London Brunelle as RAFF

    London Brunelle (She/Her) is an American actor from Seattle, Washington. She moved from the states for university in 2021 and has never looked back. London looks forward to sharing Raff's story in this special piece of theatre.  Training: Bachelors in Musical Theatre from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.  Theatre Credits: Margaret White in 'Carrie the Musical' (RWCMD), Baker's Wife in 'Into the Woods' (RWCMD), Deb in 'Ordinary Days' (RWCMD) and Elaine in 'Sweet Charity' (RWCMD). 

  • Emma Thrower as MULTI-ROLLER

    Emma (they/she) trained at ArtsEd and The MTA
    Her Theatre Credits include Goody and drums in Vinegar Tom (OVO at The Maltings Theatre); Vlogger/Chorus in Public Domain (Vaudeville Theatre)
    Other work includes: voiceover for Bupa, The Economist and Belvita; The Girl From Treatment (rehearsed reading at Park Theatre). Emma spent a decade working as a film journalist, interviewing everyone from Jack Black to Vin Diesel, Renée Zellweger to Brad Pitt. They want to thank every single person who supported their journey back into acting, especially the Croker and Miller families.

  • James Guild as Multi-roller

    James (he/him) trained at the University of Chichester Conservatoire. In addition to his credits he has taken part in various workshops and concerts in London.

    Credits: Timon in "The Lion King" (Disneyland Paris), Dandini in "Cinderella" (Broxbourne Theatre), Colonel Laurence in "A Tale of Fellowship" (Actors Church, Convent Garden)

  • Eliza Bowden as Multi-roller

    Eliza’s (she/her) credits include: Ensemble, 1st cover Heather Chandler and Heather McNamara in Heathers (UK andIreland Tour 2023), Ensemble, 1st cover Heather Chandler and Heather McNamara in Heathers(West End and UK Tour 2024), Frank and Friends (Cadogan Hall)Credits whilst training: Sandy Cheeks in The SpongeBob Musical; Ensemble in Lysistrata Jones and The Olivier Awards. Eliza is excited to be making her Edinburgh Fringe debut and is delighted to be working with suchan incredible team. She would like to thank her wonderful family, friends and agent for theirunwavering love and support, and all the team at Level Up! for this wonderful new opportunity.

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