Cast announced for MUSHY: Lyrically Speaking at the Arcola Theatre

A new rap-infused play entitled [***MUSHY: Lyrically Speaking***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4251/mushy-lyrically-speaking-tickets.aspx) is set to run at the [**Arcola Theatre in Hackney**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/305/arcola-theatre.aspx) for a strictly-limited, six-performance run **from 1 October through 5 October 2019**. The [**off-West End**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/tickets/off-west-end-theatre) production has officially announced its cast for the upcoming stop in East London as part of the show's UK tour. Meet the cast of *[**MUSHY**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4251/mushy-lyrically-speaking-tickets.aspx) *below.

### *MUSHY: Lyrically Speaking *Arcola Theatre cast Set to star in the titular role as Mushy* *in both the touring production and Arcola Theatre run is **Varun Raj**. He will take on the role of the teenager, **Musharaf 'Mushy' Asghar**, who became a household name on the Channel 4 documentary, *Education Yorkshire*, in which he overcame his speech disorder thanks to his teacher, Mr Burton, who helped him. The real-life Mushy captured the hearts of millions and inspired those suffering from speech disorders or a severe stammer to work hard and achieve their goals. Raj is joined by **Oliver Longstaff**, who takes on the role of Mushy's helpful teacher Matthew Burton, and **Medhavi Patel**, who will appear as Mushy's mum **Varun Raj** graduated from the University of Winchester and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. His acting credits include the films *Gold *and *Baar Baar Dehko *and the play *Dubailand, *which was well-received and completely sold out at the Finborough Theatre. **Oliver Longstaff**'s most notable stage credits include *Absurd Person Singular, Sleeping Beauty, *and *The Glass Menagerie, *all at the Watford Palace Theatre. **Medhavi Patel **is perhaps best known for starring in the UK tour of *We Are The Lions Mr Manager *with Townsend productions, which earned her a nomination for the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Award. Other stage credits of Patel's include *Three Sat Under The Banyan Tree, *the first collaboration between Polka Theatre and Tara Arts that also earned a 2019 Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Award nomination for Best Theatre Production. Patel's screen credits include the 2006 film, *Kidulthood, *and such television series as* Holby City* on BBC*, Dogma 3: Only Girls on *Channel 4, *Doctors* on BBC, and *Dogma 3: Snowman* on Channel 4. ### About the real-life Musharaf Asghar Channel 4's reality series, *Educating Yorkshire, *helped put Mushy on the map. The 16-year-old, full name **Musharaf Asghar**, suffered from a speech impediment that caused him to stammer and stutter. It had become such a problem for the boy that he was at risk of intentionally going mute. But his enthusiastic and helpful teacher **Matthew Burton** jumped in to save the day and was instrumental in giving Mushy his "voice." ### What is *MUSHY: Lyrically Speaking* about? The new play not only follows the struggles of Mushy and his road to unblocking his speech impediment but also covers the ups and downs after becoming a celebrity overnight. Music played a crucial role for Musharaf Asghar and the new [***MUSHY* play**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4251/mushy-lyrically-speaking-tickets.aspx) makes sure to implement lyrical narration, spoken word, and rap as its plot device, all of which was written by the rapper Raxstar.  The **Rifco Theatre Company** production features a book written by the company's Artistic Director, **Pravesh Kumar**. The show is co-presented by Watford Palace Theatre in Hertfordshire. ## *MUSHY: Lyrically Speaking *Arcola Theatre tickets on sale from just £11 and up! There's only six performances if you want to catch this inspirational and heart-warming new story. *MUSHY: Lyrically Speaking *starring Varun Raj heads to [**East London's Arcola Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/305/arcola-theatre.aspx) on 1 October 2019 with **tickets on sale now from just £11** and up! Be sure to **book your *MUSHY* London tickets** early to **secure the best seats at the Arcola Theatre** at the best prices for the performance you wish to attend! * * * ### Don't miss these other Arcola Theatre shows as part of the 2019 autumn season!  The new [**Arcola Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/305/arcola-theatre.aspx) season programme was [**recently announced**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/whats-on-at-the-arcola-theatre-for-the-autumn-2019-season) and it's set to be the most stunning and eclectic mix of shows yet for the venue. With shows like** Maxine Peake**'s moving play *[**Beryl**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4217/beryl-tickets.aspx)*, **Can Dündar**'s political drama [***#WeAreArrested***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4218/wearearrested-tickets.aspx), and the psychological thriller, *[**One Under**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4220/one-under-tickets.aspx)**, ***to look forward to, you can bet that making a special trip to East London will be worth the time and effort! Don't miss out! [**See the full Arcola Theatre programme here**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/whats-on-at-the-arcola-theatre-for-the-autumn-2019-season) or book a show direct using one of the links below:

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Tagged as

• News
• Casting
• New Shows + Transfers

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Ephram is a jack of all trades and enjoys attending theatre, classical music concerts and the opera.

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