The Rise is set in the fictional town of Milbourne Hill, Lancashire in 1894. It follows the lives of two families as they weather the storms that life constantly throws up - difficult relationships, unrealised dreams and the struggles of trying to get on but having to make do.
The Roachs and the Brownings are faced with all sorts of challenges through the course of this funny, warm and touching story and the folk-inspired music allows them to share secrets and dream their dreams through some beautiful, simple and honest songs.
The show received its first workshop in London in 2018 and confirmed without doubt that great new British musical theatre is alive and well and just waiting to be shared. Now that creator Graham Lappin has completed the second act, the show will be performed in January 2020 at the RNCM in Manchester and then who knows?
GRAHAM LAPPIN was born in the North West and trained as an actor, singer & musician at Rose Bruford College in London before enjoying a successful career in theatre which led him to writing which has now become his focus in the industry.
During his onstage career, he performed in shows such as Elf, The Wind in the Willows, Oliver!, Legally Blonde, Jesus Christ Superstar & Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. As well as recently completing the book, music & lyrics for his first full musical The Rise, he has written music for comedian Kate Bell's recent Camden & Brighton Fringe show U Are What U Wear: The Fashionista Show and he writes the songs for London based children's storytelling workshop Storymakers. He also used to write regularly for Stand Up Drama's London Bites show, which he also directed.
As well as writing, Graham teaches singing at The Arden School of Theatre in his hometown of Manchester.