Picture: Steve Tanner
Emma Rice’s musical version of Enid Blyton’s much-loved creation Malory Towers will embark on a national tour next month culminating in a summer run at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Presented by Olivier and Tony Award-winner David Pugh with Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, the new production of the Wise Children show which debuted in Bristol last year will open at the Theatre by the Lake on 27 March 2020.
Adapted and directed by Rice, the family-friendly tale of high-jinks in a Cornish girls’ school will visit Salford, Nottingham, Bath, Cheltenham, Eastbourne, Malvern, Norwich, Chester, Birmingham, Canterbury and Sheffield before arriving in London in July.
Announcing details of the London run (from 27 July until 31 August) and a special deal for those who book early, Pugh said: “This wonderful show should be available for as many people as possible. Tickets at the Southbank Centre range from just £15 to £49.50, but for everyone who books before 1 March, all children can go for half price.”
This production will star Rosie Abraham (The Worst Witch, UK tour) as Sally Hope, Alison Arnopp (Hair 5oth Anniversary UK tour) as Gwendoline Lacey, Georgia Bruce (Robin Hood, Watermill Theatre) as Bill Robinson, Mirabelle Gremaud (Wise Children, The Old Vic/UK tour) as Irene Dupont, Bobbie Little (High Fidelity, Turbine Theatre) as Alicia Johns, Naomi Morris (Wonderland, UK tour) as Mary Lou Atkinson and Alice Vilanculo (Romersholm, West End) as Darrell Rivers, with Katy Ellis (Scarecrows Wedding, UK tour) and Stephanie Hockley (Robin Hood, Watermill Theatre).
Discussing the show last year, Wise Children’s artistic director Rice said: “I’ve always been drawn to the years that followed the Second World War. It’s a time that feels close enough to touch, as I vividly remember my grandparents and how the war affected their lives…. My adaptation of Malory Towers is dedicated to the generation of women who taught in schools in that period.
“With lives shaped by the savagery of two wars, these teachers devoted themselves to the education and nurture of other women. It is also for the two generations of men that died in those same wars, leaving us with the freedom to lead meaningful, safe and empowered lives. And it is for Clement Attlee and his Labour government of 1945 who looked into the face of evil and chose to do what was right. These people changed the political landscape in their focus on care, compassion and the common good.
“Malory Towers was written at the heart of this political revolution, and embodies a kindness, hope and love of life that knocks my socks off. ‘Long live our appetites and may our shadows never grow less!’ the girls cry.
“I am making Malory Towers, with gratitude, hope and sheer pleasure! I call it my ‘Happy Lord of the Flies’ and it is joyfully radical to its bones. Imagine a world where (left to their own devices), people choose kindness. Imagine a world where difference is respected and arguments resolved with thought and care. Imagine a world that chooses community, friendship and fun. Now that’s a world I want to live in and, at Malory Towers, you can!”
Officially licensed by Enid Blyton Entertainment, a division of Hachette Children’s Group (HCG), the production features set and costume design by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Malcolm Rippeth, sound and video by Simon Baker and original music by Ian Ross.
Commenting on behalf of Enid Blyton’s publishers, Karen Lawler, head of licensed content at HCG, said: “Enid Blyton created incredible female characters at Malory Towers: strong, capable and always, always kind. ‘Women the world can lean on,’ in Enid’s own words. We share Emma’s passion for these characters and we couldn’t be more excited to see Emma’s vision of Malory Towers come to life.”
Angela Thomas
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