Louis Maskell and Sanne den Besten in The Grinning Man at Trafalgar Studios, London. Picture: Helen Maybanks
The London transfer of the critically-acclaimed The Grinning Man, now playing at the Trafalgar Studios, has today announced a new extended booking period until 14 April.
Directed by Tony Award-winning Tom Morris (War Horse) and based on the Victor Hugo novel The Man Who Laughs, the gothic love story which premiered at the Bristol Old Vic in late 2016 plays Studio 1 at the Whitehall venue.
Musical Theatre Review’s Lani Calvert wrote in her four star review: “The Grinning Man is a marvellously macabre musical, incredibly funny but truly touching, and is an experience I suggest you don’t miss out on.”
A number of stars of the Bristol production reprise their roles in the show’s London debut. They include Louis Maskell (My Fair Lady, West Side Story), who was nominated for a UK Theatre Award for his performance in the title role of Grinpayne, the show’s disfigured hero. Also returning to the show are: Julian Bleach (St George in the Dragon, Shockheaded Peter) as corrupt court clown Barkilphedro; Sean Kingsley (Les Misérables, Billy Elliot); and Ewan Black (Sleeping Beauty, The Merchant of Venice), who will play Ursus and Trelaw in the West End premiere.
New to the cast is Sanne den Besten (Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!) takes on the role Dea, the blind woman who is Grinpayne’s childhood friend and closest companion.
Also joining the cast are: Mark Anderson (The Toxic Avenger), Julie Atherton (Avenue Q), Jim Kitson (Much Ado About Nothing), Sophia Mackay (The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds her Chameleon Skin) and Amanda Wilkin (Hamlet). Completing the company are James Alexander-Taylor, Christina Bloom, Jonathan Cobb, Leo Elso, Claire-Marie Hall and Loren O’Dair.
Written by Kneehigh theatre company’s writer Carl Grose and with a score by Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler, the revised production reunites director Morris with two puppeteers from the original War Horse, Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié (from puppetry company Gyre & Gimble).
The Grinning Man is produced by Bristol Old Vic, Trafalgar Entertainment Group, Eilene Davidson, Richard O’Brien, David Adkin and Neil Laidlaw.
Angela Thomas
Tickets for The Grinning Man are available HERE.
Readers may also be interested in:
The Grinning Man at the Trafalgar Studios, London – Review
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