‘I see your life, and believe me, if you could see through my eyes you’d see…’
Henry is trying to busk his way back to the home he lost.
Rose has left her own suffocating home to find freedom.
The two find unexpected camaraderie in their situation and end up learning a great deal from each other. As each of their individual plans are subjected to the unpredictable ways of the world, they uncover the importance of kindness and understanding, not only to others, but to yourself. With the folky charm of Once and the acoustic sounds of busking on the streets, Without is a gritty new contemporary musical, telling the story of a much needed friendship as they discover what a ‘home’ truly means.
Created by composer Ben Tomalin, Without has been in the works since 2019. It was released as a concept album in May 2021, alongside videos filmed remotely over lockdown, and has since been featured on the BBC. After assembling a small team of creatives and an incredible cast to make this happen, it is finally ready to be staged for the first time. The show is debuting at The Vaults Theatre.
Without the Musical is an original musical being staged at The Vaults London. Music and Lyrics by Ben Tomalin, directed and new book by Sophie Holmes and choreographed by Maisie Fawcett. Produced by Maisie Fawcett and Jon Leech. Original story by Ben Tomalin, Joel Lockhart and Georgia Heaselgrave. Our team includes Cameron Moreton as Stage Manager and James Kendrick and Josh Leigh as Sound Engineers. The cast includes Darragh Chaplin as Henry and Marianne Steggall as Rose. Featuring Gabriel Swarbrick as Gabe and our ensemble; Laura Brown, Reuben Browne, Lydia Buckley, Owen Clayton, Sarah Craig, Abi Harvey, Gracie Moss, Jamal Ollier, Rachel Roberts and Alan Wilson. We also have our band; Ben Tomalin, Calley Lewis-Meredith, Georgie Tilley, Matt Welch, Ben Uden and Josh Leigh. With special thanks to Susannah Bond.