Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe will star as Badger in a new hip-hop musical re-working of the classic The Wind in the Willows from the award-winning Metta Theatre.
Written and directed by Metta’s artistic director Poppy Burton-Morgan (Jungle Book, UK and International tour), with music from award-winning composer Pippa Cleary (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole) and ground-breaking hip-hop composer Keiran Merrick, In The Willows will take to the road in early 2019.
Inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s timeless novel, the musical will open at the Exeter Northcott on 22 February 2019 ahead of a UK tour which is due to last until June 2019.
Commenting on his involvement in the show, West End favourite Rowe (Guys and Dolls, National Theatre) said: “From the moment I was first introduced to In The Willows I knew it was something I had to be a part of – a classic piece of British theatre given the voice and unquenchable energy of the modern generation. Crafted with unabashed love and respect by Poppy, Pippa and Keiran, it literally takes my breath away.”
Announcing details of the production, Burton-Morgan said: “Representation is at the heart of our storytelling, so we’re thrilled to develop that further in Willows – integrating BSL into the choreography and providing a platform for the extraordinary Chris Fonseca, a deaf street dancer, who plays Otter.
“The show is also full of trans-positive and body positive role models and we hope that in seeing themselves reflected on stage we’re empowering our audiences as we entertain them.”
On behalf of the show’s co-producer Exeter Northcott Theatre, artistic and executive director Daniel Buckroyd added: “After three years working with Metta as an associate company here at the Northcott, we’re thrilled to be co-producing their extraordinary new musical – when I heard an early sing-through I knew this was going to be something special – a quintessentially English family tale brought bang up-to-date with a brilliant hip-hop score – as if someone had spliced Matilda with Hamilton!”
With support from the Arts Council Strategic Touring Fund, In The Willows features set and lighting design by William Reynolds, costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight and choreography by Rhimes Lecointe.
One of the UK’s leading mid-scale touring companies, Metta has previously won praise for their street dance Jungle Book and circus musical Little Mermaid.
Angela Thomas
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