With love, it’s a case of either following your head or your heart, how we navigate this beautiful, multi-faceted quality of life unique to us all. Having debuted in 1943 on Broadway, and marking Rogers and Hammerstein’s first musical partnership, Oklahoma! follows lead Laurey Williams’ pursuit to find the one, as she finds herself consumed with the prospect of either settling with cowboy Curly McClain or farmhand Jud Fry, the production showcasing the fallouts and heartbreaks of decisions made, highlighting love’s often chaotic grace.

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Sometimes the harshest of situations can extinguish the most fiery of family dramas. In the case of bereavement, this can truly test the limits of a family’s circumstances and beliefs. A family can either become stronger in their bond, or disband and live fractured lives. Cue Ché Walkers, The Etienne Sisters. A tale of bereavement, sisterhood and disheartning truths.

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Theatre Royal Stratford East are getting set for their autumn season, where they’ll witness Ché Walker’s, The Etienne Sister‘s take over the East London stage for the next month. A family drama placing the spotlight on three fiery characters, the production promises an evening of hard truths, confrontations and an original soundtrack. Ahead of the production’s opening night, Theatrefullstop were lucky enough to speak to actress and singer Allyson Ava-Brown, who plays Bo, about working with her fellow cast members, whether she identifies with Bo, and what it’s like working with Ché Walker!

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The Etienne Sisters sets to warm up the Theatre Royal Stratford East Stage this autumn. Written and directed by acclaimed playwright Ché Walker, the drama also features a musical component. The songs featured however would no be made possible without the assistance of a composer and songwriter. Cue both Sheila Atim and Anoushka Lucas, who have teamed up with Walker to create a musical landscape in which the characters inhabit. Ahead of The Etienne Sister‘s debut in Sepetember, Theatrefullstop were lucky enough to speak to singer/songwriter Anoushka Lucas about collaborating with Walker once again, her approach to writing songs for the production and gives advice to aspiring singer/songwriters!

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In the heart of East London, there’s a family of two lamenting the loss of a loved one, which in turn results in the unwelcome arrival of an estranged loved one. Well, in the case of Ché Walker’s The Etienne Sisters, this appears to be the character’s realities. Theatre Royal Stratford East will play host to walker’s fierce and fiery family centred tale, accompanied by a soundtrack courtesy of both singer and songwriters, Sheila Atim and Anoushka Lucas, whom have a proven track record with the critically acclaimed, Klook’s Last Stand, showing last year at the Park Theatre. Ahead of The Etienne Sisters premiere at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Theatrefullstop were lucky enough to talk to Walker about the amount of strong female roles on offer theatrically, themes explored in the play and his inspiration for writing the piece.

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