Carrie Hope Fletcher will step into the title role in the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s eagerly-anticipated Cinderella at the newly-refurbished London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre later this year.
Based on an original idea by Killing Eve screenwriter and actress Emerald Fennell (currently playing Camilla Parker Bowles in the high-profile Netflix series The Crown), the new version of the classic fairy tale will begin performances on 28 August 2020 ahead of an official opening night on 23 September.
Featuring a new score by Lloyd Webber and lyrics by multi-award-winning writer David Zippel (City of Angels, The Goodbye Girl) the production will be directed by Laurence Connor who will reunite with his choreographer for School of Rock and the recent London Palladium revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, JoAnn Hunter.
Currently playing Fantine in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre and with three WhatsOnStage Awards to her credit, Hope Fletcher is widely regarded as one of musical theatre’s rising stars following high-profile roles in major productions including Heathers and The Addams Family.
Commenting on the casting news, Webber said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Carrie will be our Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre this autumn. She has totally wowed my fellow writers and creative team and was a big success at the sing through of the show late last year. I am hugely confident that she will make this new take on Cinderella very much her own, and I’m looking forward to working and recording with her as soon as possible.”
Further creative and casting details will be announced at a later date.
The Gillian Lynne Theatre will close for internal upgrade work following the final performance of School of Rock The Musical which will end its popular West End run after playing more than 1,400 performances on 1 March. The show will be heading out on a major UK tour launching in February 2021.
Announcing details of the production earlier this year, Lloyd Webber said: “I have long wanted to write my own version of Cinderella but could never find a take on the classic story that really grabbed me. Emerald Fennell has written something truly exciting and original, and the moment I read her outline I knew I’d found my latest collaborator. I’m very pleased to be working with David Zippel, a hugely witty lyricist, once again.
“I’m also excited to be reunited with Laurence and JoAnn, who I loved creating School of Rock with and who delivered a knock out Joseph last summer at the London Palladium, where it rightfully returns in June.”
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.