Shotgun Theatre present Rent at Exeter Phoenix

From the 19-22 January the Exeter Phoenix will be hosting an exciting new production of the musical Rent, produced and performed by the University of Exeter’s Shotgun Theatre Company.  

Set in early 1990s Manhattan, Rent tracks the trials and tribulations of several struggling artists living in the island’s East Village. The musical’s narrator is film-maker Mark Cohen who, along with musician Roger Davis, can’t drum up the outstanding rent for their old friend and landlord Benny. Mark and Roger’s story is intertwined with those of their friends and love interests, as well as all the other diverse characters that surround them in the city. These include Ivy League lawyer Joanne, cross-dressing street performer Angel, and heroin-addicted stripper Mimi.

Many of the characters in Rent are living in poverty and dealing with HIV and AIDS, but the tone of the musical is not bleak. The Shotgun production does not shy away from the realities of AIDS, but it also shows Rent as it was originally intended: as a celebration of the bohemian lifestyle, freedom of identity, and the power of love.

Shotgun Theatre is an NSDF award-winning company who consistently produce top quality musical theatre performances. Rent is the company’s biggest show of the year, and is not to be missed. We are very happy to offer press passes for journalists to review the opening night of the show (January 19th), and I can put you in touch with the directors, producers, design team and actors if you want to find about more about the production.

Tickets and performance times can be found here.