Casting announced for the European premiere of The View UpStairs at the Soho Theatre

### Meet *The View UpStairs *London cast Set to star in the LGBTQ+ musical *The View UpStairs* are Broadway's **Andy Mientus** in his UK stage debut as Patrick, **Cedric Neal** as Willie, **Declan Bennett** as Dale, **John Partridge** as Buddy, and **Victoria Hamilton-Barritt** as Inez. Also starring in the cast are **Carly Mercedes Dyer** (*Dreamgirls, Hadestown*) as Henri, **Derek Hagen** (*20th Century Boy, [**The Twilight Zone**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/3359/the-twilight-zone-tickets.aspx), Carousel*) as Cops/Realtor, **Garry Lee** (*Ghost, Flashdance*) as Freddy, and **Joseph Prouse** (*Hadestown Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Jersey Boys*) as Richard. **Andy Mientus** is perhaps best known for starring as Marius in the American production of [***Les Miserables***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/197/les-miserables-tickets.aspx) as well as Hanschen in the revival of *Spring Awakening* at the Deaf West Theater, which helped stage alongside the show's director, **Michael Arden**. His other notable credits include his role as recurring character Kyle Bishop in *Smash *alongside **Debra Messing**, **Katharine McPhee** ([***Waitress***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3309/waitress-tickets.aspx)), and **Jack Davenport**, his role opposite **Chris Noth** in Tv series *Gone*, and a role in the upcoming Netflix series *Dolly Parton's Heartstrings *(following buzz from London's [***9 to 5 The Musical***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3321/9-to-5-the-musical-tickets.aspx)). **Cedric Neal**'s stage credits include starring in *[**Motown The Musical**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/1490/motown-the-musical-tickets.aspx) *at the [**Shaftesbury Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/74/shaftesbury-theatre.aspx), starring opposite **Audra McDonald **in the 2012 Broadway production of *Porgy and Bess*, which won two Tony Awards out of 10 nominations, and most recently portraying Arbiter in the [**London Coliseum**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/122/london-coliseum.aspx) production of *Chess*. **Declan Bennett** is perhaps best known for portraying Charlie Cotton on *EastEnders* from 2014 to 2017. He began his career in the boyband **Point Break** before crossing over into musical theatre. His most notable stage credits include *American Idiot *on Broadway, *Once* at the [**Phoenix Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/2/phoenix-theatre.aspx), *Jesus Christ Superstar* at the Open Air Theatre, *Rent* on Broadway, *Fatherland* at the Lyric Hammersmith and *Kiss of the Spider Woman *at the [**Menier Chocolate Factory**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/143/menier-chocolate-factory.aspx). **John Partridge** is a highly prolific stage and television actor best known for his role as Christian Clarke on *EastEnders* and for winning Celebrity Master Chef. His other notable television credits include *Celebrity Big Brother 17* alongside **Gemma Collins**, his role as a judge on *Over the Rainbow*, and his participation on the BBC1 gymnastics show *Tumble*. After beginning his acting career at the tender age of 16 when he starred in the original UK tour of *Cats*, he went on to star as Rum Tum Tugger for both the film adaption and the West End production. His other notable stage credits include Zach in *A Chorus Line* at the [**London Palladium**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/4/london-palladium.aspx), Robert Martin in *The Drowsy Chaperone* at the [**Novello Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/76/novello-theatre.aspx), *The Fix* at the Donmar Warehouse, Billy Flynn in the nationwide tour of *Chicago*, the nationwide tour of *Miss Saigon*, and Turai in the nationwide tour of *Rough Crossing*. **Victoria Hamilton-Barritt** is a renowned musical theatre actress with a diverse portfolio of stage credits that include Kate in *The Wild Party* at [**The Other Palace**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/155/other-palace.aspx), Narrator in *Murder Ballad* at the [**Arts Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/43/arts-theatre.aspx), Joan in the RSC's *Miss Littlewood*, Daniella in *The Heights* at the Southwark Playhouse, Gypsy Rose Lee/Louise in *Gypsy* at The Curve, Alex Owens in *Flashdance* at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and Diane Morales in *A Chorus Line* at the London Palladium. ### *The View UpStairs* plot *Max Vernon's musical The View UpStairs follows a young fashion designer named Wes who purchases a long-forgotten space that was once known as the UpStairs Lounge, a popping '70s gay nightclub located in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The dance club burnt down in the early 1970s due to an arson attack, which ended up murdering 32 people, making it the second worst attack on the gay community predating the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. The View UpStairs reminisces the long-lost community and sends audience members on a wild trip of sensual seduction and experimentation. It serves as an unforgettable show that both celebrates the lives of the victims whilst giving off soulful vibes filled with jazz and rock. * ### About *The View UpStairs* musical *The View UpStairs* was written by emerging artist **Max Vernon**, and the West End production will be directed by **Jonathan O’Boyle** (*Pippin, Hair, Aspects of Love*). It features choreography by **Fabian Aloise** (*The Rink, Our House, Working, Evita*), set and costume design by **Lee Newby**, sound design by **Adam Fisher**, lighting design by **Nic Farman**, and casting by **Will Burton CDG**. It is produced in London by **Ken Fakler**, **Creative House Productions**, **Brian Zellinger** and **Jack Maple** of **Take Two Theatricals**, and Associate Producers **Sue Marks** and **Ben Lockwood**. ## *The View UpStairs* Soho Theatre tickets on sale now from £23! The View UpStairs earned overwhelming critical acclaim when it received its world premiere Off-Broadway in 2017. It quickly garnered supports from big-name celebrities representing the LGBTQ+ community, including **RuPaul**. Now set to receive its West End premiere this summer, you certainly won't want to be the one who missed out on this heartwarming homage to the gay community. Book your *View UpStairs* tickets early from just £23 to secure the best seats at the Soho Theatre, or you may just live to regret it! [**Purchase *The View UpStairs *London theatre tickets beginning at **](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/4003/the-view-upstairs-tickets.aspx)[**£23**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/4003/the-view-upstairs-tickets.aspx).