Development
Once Upon A Carnival
Script Development - Musical | 2023
Development by Leian John-Baptiste.
for the Gate Theatre
​
Costume design by Jace Mason
​
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (starring Whitney Houston and Brandy) meets Rio (the movie) but with a Caribbean Carnival twist. Once Upon A Carnival is a modern twist on Cinderella, about an unlucky girl whose fortune changes. Our Cece is a Black British urban princess who oozes black culture and is considered too much for the world around her. Too bold, too sassy, too loud, too dark? Cece wants to find somewhere she belongs. In facing her grief, embracing her history, heritage and culture, she finally finds a place where she fits in, a place to call home.
Starring
Sophia McKay, Luke Wilson
2023- The Oxford Playhouse
Sophia McKay performed "Take Me There" written by Leian John-Baptiste, Triniboi Joocie, Perry Melius a song from "Once Upon A Carnival" written by Leian John-Baptiste as part of the BEAM showcase for new British Musicals.
​
2022- The Gate Theatre
Leian was awarded £10,000 to develop Once Upon A Carnival which he used towards leading a week long R & D.
Playfight
Script Development - Drama | 2023
Development by Leian John-Baptiste, Christina Alagaratnam and Myah Jeffers for Orisun Productions and Pleasance Theatre
​
An incident occurs in the school Fifteen year old best friends Kai, TJ & Zara have been tight since, well, forever. But as they've grown older things have begun to change. Why did life start to get so complicated? When did the world stop seeing them as children and start demanding that they behave according to some script written in stone and carved decades before their birth? And when did the weight of that stone start to crush them ?
2023- The Plesance Theatre
Orisun Productions, lead by Leian John-Baptiste and Shereener Browne received £27k from Arts Council England to put towards their 2023 production of "Playfight" at the Plesance Theatre.
​
As part of this process, a week was spent with writer Christina Alagaratnam and dramaturg Myah Jeffers and director Leian John-Baptiste to develop the story and strengthen the script.
​
The production then received a transfer to the Seven Dials Playhouse in the West End.
​
2021
Orisun Productions, lead by Leian John-Baptiste and Shereener Browne received £12k from Arts Council England to put towards their 2021 production of "Playfight" performed in at Deptford Town Hall.
Omeros by Dereck Wallcott
Development | 2021
Development and pitch by Leian John-Baptiste
for the Gate Theatre
2021- The Gate Theatre
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic the Gate's production of Omeros Leian was due to work on was and the Gate asked Leian to pitch some ideas in response to the play. One of Leian's idea's "Once Upon A Carnival" was chosen to be developed further, Leian was warded £10,000.
Carnival Uncovered
Development - Docuseries | 2020
Deveoplment by Leian John-Baptiste
for House of Black
​
Produced by Leian John-Baptiste
​
An online docu-series exploring the wonderful world of carnival.
​
Step inside the world of masquerade, music and magic. One of the world’s most beautiful celebrations, where different people from all walks of life come together to dance their troubles away. That as well as so much more, join us as we uncover all…
​
2020
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic Notting Carnival was cancelled for the first time in it's history; and in response Leian created the series.
​
He also set out to challenge the stereotypical depiction of Notting Hill Carnival often presented by mainstream media and aimed to showcase and celebrate the unheard voices of the masqueraders and carnival community.
​
Insurrection
R&D | 2019
Lead by Peter Brathewaite, Ellen McDougall, Wofai Je, Anthony Simon Pike
for the Gate Theatre
Starring
Peter Brathwaite, Sarah-Jane Lewis
2021- The Gate Theatre
Leian took part in a week long R&D exploring folk songs from Barbados and the slave trade era.
Script Reading and Reporting
Drama | 2020-2021
Script reading and reporting by Leian John-Baptiste for David Higham Associates
for Film and TV Agents
During lockdown Leian worked at DHA managing the script submission inbox for two film/tv agents, my duties included reading screenplays and stageplays, writing reports, providing notes and feedback, recommending talent to the agents and also rejecting requests for representation.
Script Reading and Reporting
Drama & Comedy | 2020-2022
Script reading and reporting by Leian John-Baptiste for the Bush Theatre - West London.
for Literary Manager
Leian's duties included reading scripts, writing reports, providing notes and feedback on behalf of the Literary Manager.
Script Reading and Reporting
Drama & Comedy | 2014-2020
Script reading and reporting by Leian John-Baptiste for Talawa Theatre -East London & Croydon.
​
for Literary Manager
Leian's duties included reading scripts, writing reports, providing notes and feedback on behalf of the Literary Manager.