The wit of leading playwright Alan Ayckbourn will combine with the timeless magic of Beatrix Potter for the brand new family musical adventure Where Is Peter Rabbit?
Ayckbourn will provide the lyrics for the major new production which will receive its world premiere at the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on Windermere on 27 June.
The brainchild of the owners of The World Of Beatrix Potter Attraction, renowned theatre set designer Roger Glossop and his theatre producer wife, Charlotte Scott, the show will bring to life some of Potter’s best loved characters.
With long-time friend and associate Ayckbourn on board to help transform Potter’s words into lyrics, the couple brought in composer Steven Edis (The Silver Sword, Birdsong and The Invisible Man) to provide the music.
Following on from his innovative designs for the attraction when The World of Beatrix Potter opened 25 years ago, Glossop has designed a new theatre set that lovingly re-creates the literary world of the author.
The creative team behind the show, which will run for ten weeks this summer, also includes Tim Reid who will provide innovative animation and projections, the cast costume designer is Caroline Hughes, and the character costumier is Lucy Nye, the designer of the attraction’s original character costumes.
The character designers and makers are long-time colleagues of Glossop, Caroline Dalton and Phil ‘Swifty’ Swift. Lighting design will be by Jason Taylor, sound design will be by Sulley Glossop Sound and the show will be directed and choreographed by Sheila Carter. Casting is to be confirmed.
The musical will play up to three shows a day until 4 September and will fit in alongside special events including character breakfasts at the popular tourist attraction. Part of the 25th birthday celebrations for the popular attraction in the heart of Potter’s much-loved Lake District, the show will also be one of a number of events planned to mark the 150th anniversary of Potter’s birth.
Glossop says: “Beatrix Potter has dominated our lives for the last 25 years (in a good way!), so it is fantastic to have a double celebration for our 25th and her 150 years throughout 2016. From the day we opened the door 25 years ago, Beatrix Potter has taken us on an exhilarating journey – exhibition, garden, shop, restaurant, online, theatre and ongoing – we couldn’t have aligned our creative and business life with a more original, entrepreneurial and visionary woman.”
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.