Olivier Award nominee Audrey Brisson will lead the cast of The Land Of Might-Have-Been, the new musical inspired by the early life of Buxton’s Vera Brittain due to premiere at this summer’s Buxton International Festival.
Brisson (The Grinning Man, Bristol Old Vic), who was nominated for a Best Actress Olivier for her performance in the title role in the original Watermill Theatre and West End production of Amélie, will play the renowned feminist and pacifist writer in the Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre co-production.
The cast will also include: Alexander Knox (A Merchant of Venice, Playground Theatre) as Vera’s doomed fiancé, Roland Leighton; George Arvidson (Les Misérables, UK and Ireland tour) as Vera’s beloved brother, Edward Brittain, the inspiration for her most famous work Testament of Youth; and Kit Esuroso (Showboat, Sheffield Crucible Theatre/West End) as Bobby, Vera’s friend and Edward’s secret lover.
Other roles will be played by Stuart Pendred, Bernadine Pritchett, Elin Davies, Julie Teal, Boaz Chad, Richard Woodall, Helen Maree, Julia Mariko, Tobias Camposs Antinaque and Charlie St John.
Featuring the distinctive songs of Ivor Novello, The Land Of Might-Have-Been has a book and lyrics by Buxton International Festival CEO, Michael Williams. Featuring a book and lyrics by Williams, the musical follows on from his award-winning, Buxton-inspired opera Georgiana.
The creative team for the production also includes director Kimberley Sykes, conductor Iwan Davies, set and costume designer Nicky Shaw, lighting designer Jake Wiltshire, sound designer Declan Matwij and choreographer Nathan M Wright. Novello’s songs have been arranged by Iain Farrington for the Northern Chamber Orchestra.
The Land Of Might-Have-Been will debut at the Buxton Opera House from 7-22 July as part of a packed programme of more than 120 events over 17 days in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District. The show will also visit Theatre Royal, Norwich from 25-30 July.
Angela Thomas
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