Derek Bond will return to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre this Christmas to direct a major new production of Broadway hit Sweet Charity.
Bond, who was previously at the helm of the theatre’s sell-out 2014 seasonal production of Little Shop of Horrors, will be joined by award-winning choreographer Aletta Collins for the show which will run from Saturday 3 December until Saturday 21 January, with a press night on Thursday 8 December.
Kaisa Hammarlund (Desperately Seeking Susan, Novello Theatre; A Little Night Music, Menier Chocolate Factory/Garrick Theatre) will take on the title role of Charity Hope Valentine, the unlucky-in-love taxi dancer who thinks a shy accountant will give her a longed-for ‘happy ending’.
The cast will also include Lucy Jane Alcock, Christine Allado, Michelle Andrews, Josie Benson, Olly Christopher, Michelle Cornelius, Daniel Crossley, Bob Harms, Natalie Hope. Cat Simmons, Holly Dale Spencer, Sévan Stephan and Alex Thomas-Smith.
With a book by Neil Simon which was based on Frederico Fellini’s screenplay for Nights of Cabiria, Sweet Charity features lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by Cy Coleman.
Sweet Charity made its Broadway debut in 1966 in a production which was directed and choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse and featured his wife and muse Gwen Verdon in the title role.
The Royal Exchange’s version of the show will be designed by James Perkins with lighting design by Sally Ferguson, and sound design by Richard Brooker. Nigel Lilley is the production’s musical supervisor.
Angela Thomas
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