Set in the electrifying backdrop of 1974 Las Vegas, Whispers is a deeply emotional and vibrant musical that centers around a nightclub of the same name, run by a charismatic former singer, Queen B. The musical weaves together themes of love, betrayal, loyalty, and redemption, drawing audiences into the lives of complex characters facing personal challenges within the dazzling yet dangerous world of nightlife.
Whispers is an immersive musical experience, blending live music, drama, and theatrical performance in a nightclub setting where audiences become part of the story. Featuring original music and intricate character development, the show invites viewers into a world where the lines between entertainment and real-life struggles blur in the glamorous yet gritty setting of 1970s Las Vegas.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
BABS SAVAGE
Creator, Producer, Co-Writer, Music
The inspiration for Whispers came when Ricky Rainbow and I visited the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas; where we discovered the most beautiful theatre concealed inside of it. The Plaza Hotel has a lush history, as that was the backdrop for the movie Casino, filmed at the first Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. We felt the nostalgia of the seventies and it lent itself to imagining the sensationalism of ganger scenes that had happened there. We thought that a lot of the recorded work would fit well into a theatre show with a nightclub origin story, that was the inception which inspired me to write this story. I drew from my past skills from theatre school where I had learnt to conceptualise, write, and direct short plays. As an independent female artist, I understood the twists and turns we must endure and find a conceivable way of making our music relevant to the female narrative. Hence it came naturally to create the storyline for Whispers. I was very fortunate to meet Jeremy Raison, who understood and captured the essence of the characters that I had conceived to create a proper storyline.
JEREMY RAISON
Writer
WHISPERS presented a challenge: to develop a musical based on an offer of a free theatre for a year, an accomplished singer with a passion to do more and impeccable existing music written in a style that is not innately theatrical. It made the whole project feel different right from the start. I was already working on the book of another musical and had also directed quite a few musicals. I thought I might be able to offer something to a project which had the potential to be genuinely
different. I liked that the story centred on complex women at a time of huge societal changes, particularly obvious in the #MeToo movement which sprang up in late 2019 just before lockdown. The small cast and simple staging offered the
possibility of multiple productions in different settings, from cruise ships and small cabaret venues to much larger spaces. It made the challenge exciting and also suggested the project would offer a strong package for investors: small scale musicals written with a big heart, strong storytelling, great parts for actors and impeccable music will always find a home and an audience. The project became achievable. It’s a great journey to be on.
FUDGE JARCHEH
Music
Fudge Jarcheh is a renowned London-based multidisciplinary artist, specialising in music production and sound engineering. Known for his innovative approach and genre-blending creativity, Fudge has built a strong reputation in the music industry. His collaborations span various styles, always marked by his meticulous attention to detail and cutting-edge production techniques. A driving force in shaping modern sound, Fudge continues to inspire and elevate the music scene with his unique artistic vision.
RICKEY RAINBOW
Music
Rickey Rainbow has been a singer, songwriter, producer and businessman for the past twenty-five years. Music was a significant part of his life growing up watching his cousins, The Staple Singers. Additionally, Bob Marley and the Wailers and Cameo were managed by his uncle, which gave further direction for him to learn about the entertainment world. He attended the (Institute for New Cinema Artist) in Chicago where he learned the details of the music business and record production. He has since lived in London where he produced numerous top ten hits to become a respected name in the music business. Rickey has written for, recorded and advised many artists both new and established. He has worked with Mark Morrison (Return of the Mack), R. Kelly, Alliah, Right Said Fred (I’m to Sexy), Jocelyn Brown, Michelle Gayle, Ant and Deck, Ultimate Kaos, 2 Unlimited, Maxi Priest, Big Tyme and Hercules, and Willie Clayton, to name a few.
Most notably, Rickey was nominated for a Grammy for producing and co-writing “Big Up” with Aswad, a well regarded reggae band. Rickey was also considered as a choice for a key A&R position in the past from major labels such as Sony, Polygram, and MCA. Rickey has also helped start up and run several independent labels in Canada and England. During Rickey’s vast recording career, he has landed several publishing deals with companies like Polygram/Polydor and Chrysalis Music. Rickey has managed to create a great rapport with top position players at many major record companies across the globe. This also adds to his insider ability to make things happen.
COLIN McFARLANE
Director
Colin is a renowned actor both in theatre and on the screen, probably best known for playing Commissioner Loeb in
‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’, Ulysses in ‘Outlander’ and the heroic train conductor in ‘The Commuter’ alongside Liam Neeson. UK audiences also know him as the iconic ‘voice of the Cube’ in the hit ITV game show ‘The Cube’. In the world of theatre, Colin has produced and directed numerous plays including: Flying Dutchman (Hampstead Theatre) with Shaun
Parkes; ‘Road to Nirvana’ with Shaun Williamson (Kings Head Theatre); Marilyn and Ella (Rosemary Branch Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Apollo Theatre, West End) with Rain Pryor, Sally Lindsay, Nichola Hughes and
Suzie Kennedy.