Alumnus Bart Thiede brings new musical 'Have You Met Stan?' to London and Brighton

Bart Thiede (Exeter College, 2015) has written and produced a new musical, which is heading to to Brighton this May and has secured a limited London run at the King's Head Theatre. The story of Have You Met Stan? is quintessentially about migration, belonging, and the struggles of living away from home. Set in the early 2010s in a gritty Irish pub in London, Stan, a recent arrival from Poland, meets Seán, a young Irish migrant. Both are in their early twenties and struggling to find their place. Across a year, we explore how attitudes toward migrant groups shift over time, from “no dogs, no Irish” to “they’re stealing our jobs.” The show also delves into the personal challenges they face with their Catholic families back home and their own sexuality.

The music blends Polish and Irish folk traditions with punchy pop, creating a soundscape that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition. The show is performed in English but features Irish and Polish in some songs, and features an international cast and a live band on stage with the actors. The production company, Rainbow Stout Productions Ltd, which was set up by Bart, specifically works with working-class creatives who face barriers to entering theatre due to their socio-economic background.

The development of Have You Met Stan? began over two years ago, with research and development sessions involving migrant groups, particularly the '1.5' generation, a workshop performance, and showings at the Burton Taylor Studio of the Oxford Playhouse, as part of Bart's work as a Supported Artist for the OFFBEAT Festival. It was awarded the Brighton Fringe Bursary Prize for Musical Theatre.

Since graduating, Bart has held a range of artistic and musical director posts across educational, ecclesiastical, and arts organisations. Past roles include Director of Music at St Canice’s Cathedral and Kilkenny College in Ireland, and Rye St Antony in Oxford, as well as Artistic Director of Music in Kilkenny and the Passio Festival and a fundraising role with Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras. Now based in Oxford, Bart continues to tour regularly, working on a number of exciting projects in both the UK and Sweden. He has developed a signature folk-choral style in his work. He recently completed a new recording project at Stockholm’s renowned RMV Studio and is currently arranging music for the Oxford Playhouse’s upcoming summer production of The History of (Almost) Everything. He has also served as Musical Director of the Oxford Playhouse Pantomime for the past two years, and returns to the pit again later this year. Alongside Have You Met Stan?, Bart is developing a new stage work exploring drag culture in 1970s communist Poland. In addition to his theatre work, Bart remains active as a guest choral conductor and sings regularly as a tenor deputy with various ensembles.

Find out more on Bart's website.