Following last year's resounding success, RepresentAsian celebrates the best Asian Musical Theatre performers and emerging stars of the industry. This West End extravaganza showcases the breadth of diverse talent and raises vital funds to create scholarships for young performers, in partnership with The Boury Academy. We had a chat with Ben Armstrong (Founder and Casting Director).
With RepresentAsian returning to the Lyric for its eighth iteration—and the first scholarship recipient, Anya, now in training at The Boury Academy—how has the real-world impact of the project shaped your vision for its future?
It still humbles me every time I hear “eighth iteration”. My team and I have been working tirelessly over the last five years to ensure we create access and opportunity in the arts for the Asian community. What initially started as a showcase for professional performers, it has transcended that, and we now focus on making a genuine difference to the development of Asian talent. Anya is our inaugural scholar and is currently undergoing her first term at The Boury Academy. We hear that she is thoroughly enjoying every moment, which fills our souls with joy. To ensure that the industry can provide decent representation in professional works, it's vital to make sure we are investing in the lives of young people. Showing them that there is a place for them in the industry; getting them in contact with professionals who look like them; encouraging their passions; giving them access to the theatre; highlighting to parents and families that the arts are worth investing their child's time in. It's no secret that the theatre industry can feel elite, financially challenging, taxing to a young person's mental health, and accessible only to the privileged few. That shouldn't be the case. The cohort from The Boury Academy challenges all these points with their accessible training, diverse staff, adjacent theatrical agency, and the vast professional opportunities presented to their kids. It has certainly helped re-shape our project, and highlights the need for a regular, consistent instalment of “RepresentAsian”. There is a reason we have had eight iterations, and many more in the future. The work doesn't stop at one event.
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As both Founder and Casting Director, how do you see the landscape changing for Asian diaspora performers on the West End, and what specifically sets this year's line-up and talent showcase apart?
It's hard to gage how the landscape is changing, because, as most things, it has its peaks and troughs consistently, and you rarely ever see 100% progression year on out. However, we have been blessed with lots of great works in London, and around the country, that highlight great representation. We wouldn't be able to not mention the success of “Death Note” at the Barbican this Summer, which featured a full ESEA cast. The National Theatre is now into its second season under the artistic direction of Indhu Rubasingham, where they are programming a multitude of ethnic and non-ethnic specific works, with diverse casts and creative teams. So, there are pockets of greatness happening, but there is still work to be done. I still see lots of works being announced with fully white cast and creative teams, which, to me, doesn't cut it. Unless the piece specifically requires those decisions because of a deliberate narrative, we should actively be striving to have a beautiful mix of talent on and off the stage. I have always believed that theatre should reflect the world we live in, and when I step out of my home and walk through London, I see the most eclectic range of human beings. We have a responsibility to make art for all, not just the few.
In terms of our line-up for our November concert, there's something for everyone. Without giving too much away, we will be featuring some golden age musical theatre, contemporary bangers, re-imagined pop songs, a Singaporean staple, and even some opera… Our Asian talents know no bounds!
You're bringing established stars like Nadim Naaman and Nina Wadia onto the same stage as 2026 RAM and GSA grads making their West End debuts. What does that mentorship dynamic look like behind the scenes during rehearsals?
It was very important to us when finalising the cast that we had a diverse range of experience in the line-up, to show the spectrum of talent we have in the industry. Having Nina return is a wonderful thing for us. In last year's concert, she said, “If I had something like this when I was younger, I would have had a very different career”, and that sentiment has stuck with me since… because it's not just about showcasing talent. It's about showcasing a community and providing solidarity and camaraderie with Asian individuals. This year, we have Sameer Dhanjee, Charlie Moscrop, and Shivaane Subash making their West End debuts. To be in an environment with a fully Asian cast, and a diverse creative team, is a great way to kick off their careers. To be seen, and feel accepted in a space, is something that one shouldn't take for granted. Often, for diverse individuals, that's not a regular occurrence. So, if we can have this as the foundation and the benchmark for these debuts, I am hopeful it will set them up for a positive career.
The community that comes with RepresentAsian is always a magical thing, and mentorship, as you mentioned, is always very strong. Everyone looks out for each other, and these relationships are maintained after the event. It sounds cliché, but it really is a project that creates life-long friendships and working relationships.
RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent is at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 9th November at 7:30pm for one night only.
Photo: Ryan Michael Price