Gala Night for RIDE THE CYCLONE at Southwark Playhouse

Kevin McCollum, Morris Berchard and Jack Maple are delighted to announce that celebrated British drag queen Divina De Campo will star as The Amazing Karnak in the return of the critically acclaimed RIDE THE CYCLONE THE MUSICAL at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. The smash-hit musical which returns to the venue following a record-shattering and sold-out UK premiere run in 2025, will run from Friday 19 June 2026 to Saturday 22 August 2026.

Divina joins the previously announced St Cassian’s Chamber Choir: Josh Butler as Noel, Grace Galloway as Jane Doe, Robyn Gilbertson as Constance, Bartek Kraszewski as Mischa and Jack Maverick as Ricky, Kayna Montecillo as Ocean. The cast is completed by swings Rebecca D’Lacey and Nathaniel Purnell (also Dance Captain).

 

 

Divina de Campo is a seasoned British drag queen and singer who was crowned runner-up on the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. In addition to her Drag Race fame, Divina has made waves with a UK Top 40 single as part of the girl group The Frock Destroyers. Known for her high soprano and four-octave range, she has also been featured on ITV’s The Voice and the BBC’s All Together Now. Her critically acclaimed theatre credits include her role as Mary Sunshine in Chicago, her award-winning performance as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and most recently, The SpongeBob Musical.

On joining the show Divina :

I am so excited to be joining this amazing vibrant cast for what is a hilarious and tongue in cheek musical. The songs are catchy as they come and the story is both tragic and side splitting, for the characters maybe literally! I am overjoyed to finally be on the Southwark Playhouse stage after seeing shows there and presenting more than a few awards to them too over the years!

The musical, written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, broke Southwark Playhouse’s record of most tickets sold within a 24-hour period after going on sale in 2025. It then broke its own record when this return engagement went on-sale earlier this year.

Producers are also thrilled to announce that additional seats have been made available and are on-sale now.

 

 

Divina De Campo will not be performing on Saturday 4th July, Saturday 18th July, Friday 24th July, Saturday 25th July, Friday 31st July, Saturday 1st August or Sunday 2nd August. The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any artist.

RIDE THE CYCLONE THE MUSICAL is directed and choreographed by Lizzi Gee with musical direction and supervision by Ben McQuigg, set and costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting design by Tim Deiling, video design by Nina Dunn for PixelLux, sound design by Tom Marshall, illusion design by Richard Pinner, make-up design by Dominic Skinner, casting by Harry Blumenau, associate direction by Eva Sampson, associate choreography by Jasmin Colangelo, associate musical direction by Jennifer Deacon, costume supervision by Sharon Williams, props supervision by Props By Eve, production management by Toby P Darvill for Production Solutions Group and general management by Jack Maple Productions.

 

 

The band includes Ben McQuigg (conductor & keys 1), Jennifer Deacon (keys 2), Daniel Kemshall (guitars), Hamish Barry (cello & bass) and Ollie Peszynski (drums & percussion).

The company is completed by James Hamilton (company stage manager), Vicky Zenetzi (deputy stage manager), Izzy Moore (assistant stage manager), Elion Budden (assistant stage manager), Ollie Reymes-Clermson (head of sound) and Luke Pisano-Webb (head of wardrobe).

We’re back for round two. Ready to ride again?

After a freak roller-coaster accident, six teenagers find themselves suspended in limbo and offered one final chance to return to life. One by one, they step into the spotlight to prove why they deserve that second chance.

 

 

Darkly comic, unexpectedly moving, and told at full tilt, this 90-minute musical is a five-star theatrical thrill ride. London — this is one ride you can’t miss.

RIDE THE CYCLONE THE MUSICAL had its world premiere at the Atomic Vaudeville in British Columbia, Canada in 2008. The American premiere took place at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in September 2015 and went on to open Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in November 2016. Since then it has had runs in Seattle, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Sydney and Buenos Aires.

RIDE THE CYCLONE THE MUSICAL is produced by Kevin McCollum, Morris Berchard and Jack Maple with associate producers Sisco Entertainment and Coddiwomple Productions. The show is licensed by Concord Theatricals.

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Season Details

Venue: Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Date: 19 June – 22 Aug 26

For more information click HERE

Photo Credit: Danny Kaan and Charlie Flint