The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced initial casting for the highly-anticipated world premiere of the musical version of American author Kate DiCamillo’s much-loved children’s book The Magician’s Elephant.
Jack Wolfe (Sweeney Todd, Lyric Belfast, Pinocchio, National Theatre) will make his RSC debut in the central role of orphan Peter Duchene in the production which is due to make its Covid-delayed debut in Stratford upon Avon from 14 October 2021 until 1 January 2022.
The principal cast will include previous RSC actors Keisha Amponsa Banson (Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre, School of Rock – The Musical, Gillian Lynne Theatre) and Marc Antolin (Matilda the Musical, The Courtyard Theatre/Cambridge Theatre, Little Shop of Horrors, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) who will take on the roles of Gloria and Leo Matienne.
They will be joined by RSC newcomer Summer Strallen (The Sound of Music, London Palladium, Young Frankenstein, Garrick Theatre) as Countess Quintet with Sam Harrison (Avenue Q, Gielgud Theatre, Crazy for You, London Palladium) as Count Quintet, and RSC associate artist Forbes Masson (The Boy in the Dress, RSC, Big Fish, The Other Palace) as Police Chief. Mark Meadows (Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre, Urinetown, St James Theatre) will make his RSC debut as Vilna Lutz while another Matilda the Musical original cast member Alastair Parker (A Christmas Carol, Old Vic Theatre, Oliver! London Palladium) will return to the RSC to play Magician.
The cast will also include: Sharif Afifi (Milliner), Alison Arnopp (Baker), Hannah Brown (Swing), Michael Carolan (Swing), Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Fishmonger), Stephen John Davis (Doctor), Zoe Halliday (The Elephant), Wela Mbusi (The Elephant), Suzanne Nixon (The Elephant), Wendy Somerville (Mrs Griswald) and Mandi Symonds (Sister Marie).
Originally due to receive its world premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in October 2020 the new musical adaptation of The Magician’s Elephant will be directed by Sarah Tipple.
With a book and lyrics by Nancy Harris and music and lyrics by Marc Teitler, the production will feature design by Colin Richmond, lighting by Oliver Fenwick, music supervision and musical direction by Tom Brady, orchestrations by Sarah Travis and Teitler, vocal arrangements by Tom Brady and Teitler, sound by Paul Groothuis and movement by Francesca Jaynes. Dramaturgy is by Réjane Collard-Walker with puppetry direction by Mervyn Millar and puppetry design by Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller. The magic consultant is John Bulleid and video is by Douglas O’Connell.
The autumn production will mark the reopening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre following the pandemic and the return of audiences to indoor performances at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Angela Thomas
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