Interview with Ride the Cyclone’s Kayna Montecillo and Rebecca D’Lacey
Following its 2025 run, which broke Southwark Playhouse’s record of most tickets sold within a 24-hour period after going on sale, Ride the Cyclone returns for another spin on the rollercoaster this summer.
Original cast members are joined by some new faces, including British Drag royalty Divina de Campo, taking on the role of The Amazing Karnak, alongside Josh Butler as Noel, Grace Galloway as Jane Doe, Robyn Gilbertson as Constance, Bartek Kraszewski as Mischa, Jack Maverick as Ricky, and Kayna Montecillo as Ocean. The cast is completed by swings Rebecca D’Lacey and Nathaniel Purnell (also Dance Captain).
We caught up with Kayna and Rebeccato find out what’s in store for audiences this summer.
Talking about their characters and whether they are anything like themselves …
Katya: The best way I could describe Ocean is by telling you to picture the student in class who’d put their hand up, reminding the teacher about homework. You either were her or you couldn’t stand her, and that is what I think ends up making her so lovable in the show. A very intense perfectionist and a leader whose need for success can sometimes make her oblivious to the way she makes other people feel, but throughout the show, you start to see a softness to her, and it’s such a beautiful journey to explore as an actor.
I do see a lot of myself in Ocean. I really resonate with the perfectionist aspect of her and how much pressure she puts on herself. Although Ocean definitely had a lot more confidence than I did at her age which I wish I had more of for sure. I am an Ocean at heart so I love getting to bring the side out of me that I never fully felt safe enough to express as a kid.
Rebecca: As a swing, I have the crazy job of covering all three female-presenting roles in the show. It is so exciting to get to experience the show through the eyes of three entirely different characters!
I’d like to think that there is a little bit of me in each character: Constance’s people pleasing and apologetic nature, Ocean’s drive to overachieve and excel. And I’m sure at some point, especially in adolescence, we have all felt lost like Jane, desperately grasping to figure out who we really are at our core.
Talking about what it was like joining the established cast members for this run,
Kayna: I actually went to see the show last year and I was in awe of how incredible it was, so I knew I had some big shoes to fill, especially after watching Baylie absolutely smash this role. Now that I’m starting to settle into the rehearsal process, I’m getting to sit and just admire how incredibly talented everyone is. This is not an easy show, but everyone in this cast makes it look easy and that’s when you know you’re surrounded by a talented bunch of people. I want to highlight this applies to the people you don’t see on stage, because there are so many elements that go into this show and the backstage team are the ones who make so much of that magic happen.
And on returning to the show,
Rebecca: I have found beats and little details I hadn’t picked up on before. I feel as though I’m sinking my teeth in even deeper this time. The show really feels like a living, breathing organism and it’s truly wonderful to be a part of its evolution.
The show tells us all about the hopes and dreams of its teen characters. What did our cast members dream about when they were teenagers?
Rebecca: I was always dreaming of the career I have now, I feel unbelievably grateful every single day for the life I get to live. I often think back to the nerdy bookworm who was afraid to speak in class and think “we did it, our wildest dreams came true!”
Kayna: Honestly I was manifesting the life I’m living now so I feel incredibly lucky to be here. I watched my first musical (Wicked) when I was nine, and I have never wanted to do anything else ever since.I was lucky enough to have parents who fully supported me in wanting to pursue this career so a huge thank you to them because I wouldn’t be here without it.
What about rollercoasters – Scream if you want to go faster or scream if you want to get off?! And any fairground favourites?
Kayna: I am a HUGE rollercoaster fan. I remember going to Thorpe Park for my birthday when I was a teenager and it’s still to this day one of my favourite birthdays I have ever had. Show me the biggest rollercoaster and you best bet you’d find me on it!
As someone who grew up near Brighton, I used to love the ride at the Pier called “Booster”. It isn’t there anymore unfortunately but I love going on similar rides that give the same feeling. It’s definitely not a ride for people scared of heights though!
Rebecca: I LOVE ROLLERCOASTERS! Much of my childhood was spent at theme parks and fairgrounds. The escapism, the theming, the adventure… I love it all. I am forever planning my next theme park trip!
If there is a wooden rollercoaster, I’m riding it as soon as possible and as many times as possible. I do also really love a good spook on the ghost train - I actually went on the world’s scariest ghost train when I was in Vienna and I can confirm, it was terrifying!!
And finally, why should people come and see Ride the Cyclone this summer?
Kayna: There isn’t anything like it in the musical theatre world at the moment so people should come just to embrace the uniqueness of it all. It’s also just so much fun! I still find it hard to keep myself together in the rehearsal room during all the comedy moments because there’s just so much joy in the show, the same goes for the emotional moments too and it really is a contagious feeling. Take that from someone who felt it sitting in the audience themselves.
Anyone can see themselves in at least one of these characters and there’s something so nostalgic about watching people go through that stage of life where you’re trying to figure out who you want to be. I think the show captures the essence of that period in our lives really well, especially the innocence and the awkwardness of it all.
The amount of diversity in the cast and the entire team is also something that is so rare at the moment so it’s such a special experience getting to watch that exist on stage. I hope more shows like Ride the Cyclone, which celebrate individuality, start making their way onto bigger platforms in the industry the way this one did and I hope people enjoy celebrating that with us when they come to see the show.
Rebecca: Ride the Cyclone is a show like no other, there truly is something for everyone. It will make you laugh, cry and have you leave the theatre contemplating how truly wonderful it is to be alive. The cast are incredibly talented and their love for the show and its message shines through each of their performances.
Ride the Cyclone plays at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) until 22nd August 2026.
