From iconic pop anthems to cult-classic movie tracks, it’s a celebration of the music that raised us and the artists now reclaiming it with powerhouse vocals and fresh arrangements.
Part concert, part throwback party, Sleepover Soundtrack is equal parts heart and fun, where audiences can sing along, reminisce, and rediscover the magic of early-millennium pop. Grab your friends, dust off your iPod playlists, and get ready for a night that feels like your favourite sleepover all grown up.
We caught up with Florence Bannigan and Lottie Mae O'Kill ahead of the show.
What can you tell me about Sleepover Soundtrack: A 2000s Pop Party?
Lottie: Sleepover Soundtrack: A 2000s Pop Party is a unique, one of a kind pop party Cabaret for lovers of all things 2000s! Full of hits from your favourite artists and throwback tunes from your favourite childhood movies!
Florence: Sleepover Soundtrack is a celebration of all the music that raised us as kids in the 2000s. It's the music that was the playlist of our sleepovers, school discos and movie nights. It's being performed by a cast of rising UK musical theatre talent, who are all part of the generation that grew up listening to this music, and a rare now able to reclaim it as their own with their voices and perspectives. It will basically be a big nostalgic, glittery, musical party.
What inspired you to create the concert?
Florence: Sleepover Soundtrack is my second time creating a concert for Crazy Coqs. In 2024, I worked on The Pink Doll Cabaret, a show with similar theatres of childhood nostalgia and musical memories. I created that show with the help of my wonderful friend Jillian Michelle Smith, who had initially brought the concept to life at 54 Below in New York. At the time, a lot of my friends over here had said it was such a great idea and they would love to see it in London. I totally agreed. As actors, we spend a lot of time waiting for permission to do what we love, but over time, I started to think, 'What if I were to produce the show?'. It was a brand new experience and definitely challenging at times, but working with Jillian, the venue and our amazing performers, I learned so much and I believe we created something fun and special.
When Crazy Coqs reached out to us about creating another show, we thought it would be fun to continue building on this theme and celebrate more of our childhood faves. I read this book called 'Reach For The Stars' by Michael Cragg, and he looks back on the early 00s as 'pop's final party', and I do think it was the end of an era for a certain kind of pop music, but it really inspired me to look back at that time and what was unique about it. My friends and I are looking back a lot at the moment, it's 20 years since the first High School Musical came out for example, and so the idea of getting together to perform this music feels quite natural. These tunes are absolutely fire and our earliest memories of music have been so formative to the perfomers we've become, so it's so joyous to get the chance to belt these out another time.
What can you tell us about the lineup of performers you have joining you at the show?
Florence: This lineup of performers is so special! The cast is made up of performers who are young but have a wealth of professional experience and absolutely killer voices. A lot of us met when we were younger and at the start of our journeys training as actors, so to get to work together now as adults and see how far everyone has come is amazing. What sets this group apart is the unique voices, styles and personalities everybody brings to the stage, which is reflected in the shows they will perform. As I'm producing this project, getting to bring this group together is really the biggest joy in the process, absolutely amazing performers and people.
Lottie: We have some incredible performers lined up! The talent on this stage is NOT to be missed. Each performer brings something truly unique to the stage, creating a one-of-a-kind performance that people will be very lucky to witness!
How have you approached which music to feature in the show?
Lottie: We have looked at childhood nostalgia anthems, like Shine by Take That - but also Reach by S Club 7! Iconic tunes that we still listen to today! We’ve also looked at individual pop stars and icons. Like Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift. These women define this era and just had to be included! We also looked at iconic numbers from TV shows and Movies! Like High school musical, camp rock, and phineas and ferb. There is truly something for everyone in this Cabaret!
Florence: From the start, it was important to me that this show really be a true celebration and representation of the music we grew up listening to. So that in mind, we had conversations with the performers about the music that inspired us and what everybody would like to perform. From there, we began building a setlist, and Lottie and I filled the gaps with what we felt was missing. We've tried to include a range of pop styles and artists, hitting the big names and maybe a few underrated gems too. Of course, we wanted to make sure we got some iconic British 00s tunes in there too!
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| The cast of The Pink Doll Cabaret |
What are your own connections with the 2000s music?
Lottie: I LOVE 2000s Music. Every day I listen to Britney Spears - she is one of my favourite artists. I also love High School Musical, ask anyone who knows me. I proudly wear my Wildcats Jumper - I even have a shirt that says I heart Troy Bolton!
Florence: We had such great music as 00s kids, it was a great time for pop music. I was young when Hannah Montana and High School Musical were at their peak, and they inspired me to start singing and acting. Miley Cyrus was my idol. For my generation of performers, I think nearly everyone was inspired in some way by the Disney Channel stuff and things like Glee and Pitch Perfect. They made performing on stage this really cool and tangible thing. I also loved Girlbands like The Sugababes, and used to watch their videos on YouTube all the time, back when YouTube was new. When I got a little older and moodier, I loved bands like My Chemical Romance, and I still love their albums and their sound.
What was the first piece of theatre that you remember having a big impact on you?
Florence: I saw the DVD of the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Mis, and that was my first time being really obsessed with a piece of theatre. I cried at the end, and then there's a shot of a lady in the audience crying. I remember realising the emotional impact and the connection that art can build between strangers. It opened up something new for me and made me want to be part of theat, to be part of something bigger than myself.
Lottie: I saw Little Shop Of Horrors at the Menier Chocolate Factory as a young child and I was absolutely hooked on musical theatre! We would constantly listen to the soundtrack and I would sing it all the time with my Dad. I still do! Audrey remains an absolute dream role of mine! It’s truly the BEST musical!
What keeps you inspired?
Florence: So much! I'm at that early career point where a lot of what I do is standing in my kitchen doing self-tapes with my sister on FaceTime, so I make a point to find inspiration in my day-to-day life. I read a lot, which is the biggest thing that inspired me and connects me to storytelling. Obviously, seeing theatre when I can, movies, reading plays, going to class and connecting with other actors. Right now, I'm so inspired by figure skating! I'm a huge fan, with the Winter Olympics starting this week, I'm rewatching old programs and performances. I'm so moved by their ability to tell a story without words, and those athletes who can really turn their sport into art.
Lottie: My family. I am constantly inspired by my family who work so hard and live their lives to the absolute fullest! I think of them and I’m immediately inspired to get up and make the most of opportunities and life in general!
What would you hope an audience takes away from Sleepover Soundtrack: A
2000s Pop Party?
Lottie: We hope they take away a feeling of nostalgia and love for this iconic era, we hope people look back on childhood/teen years and reminisce, and remember that the kid or young adult they used to be is still in them! Healing the inner child whilst rocking out to the best tunes. And soaking up some of the finest talent that this industry has to offer!
Florence: Joy! It's that simple for me. I believe hugely in the power of art, I beleive it can do amazing things, make people feel deeply, and have an impact on humanity. I love being part of serious art. At the same time, joy is also a big emotion, and creating a space for people to sing out loud and smile out loud is also a meaningful thing. So if our audiences can take some joy and brightness away from our show, then that's all I can ask for.
Sleepover Soundtrack: A 2000s Pop Party takes place at Crazy Coqs (Brasserie Zedel) in London on Sunday 15th February at 5pm. Tickets are available from https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/sleepover-soundtrack-a-2000s-pop-party/?instance_id=1856693
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