The UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella will be the first musical produced by A Factory of Creativity, the new charity formed to take over the running of Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre.
Due to play the popular Ancoats’ venue from 9 May to 6 June 2020 before heading for the Clonter Opera Theatre in Cheshire (9-14 June 2020), the production will be directed by Joseph Houston and choreographed by William Whelton, the co-founders of the theatre.
Continuing with Hope Mill Theatre’s commitment to finding new and emerging talent across the regions, the team is holding open auditions for the show’s leading lady.
Commenting on the production Houston said: “The first ever show I watched as a boy was the story of Cinderella and so to be able to work on the UK premiere of the most recent Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s story is a dream come true. Having the opportunity to also collaborate alongside Will, who is both my business partner and life partner – and of whose work I have long admired – makes this journey even more special. I want this unique version of Cinderella to captivate audiences young and old, just as the timeless story did for me. This is the perfect spring treat and I cannot wait to see this story come to life at Hope Mill Theatre.”
Whelton added: “For many years I have wanted to produce Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, so for this to be the first musical to be brought to life by Hope Mill Theatre’s new charity is very special.
“It is a more modern take on the classic fairy tale that everyone is familiar with, add to the story the musical and lyrical genius of Rodgers and Hammerstein and you have real musical theatre magic. We are also thrilled to announce that as part of our casting process we will be holding open auditions in our search for Cinderella.
“As a regional venue we are passionate about finding and nurturing professional talent from all over the country so find this really exciting and we can’t wait to meet new artists.”
Based on the classic fairy tale, Cinderella was the only piece written specifically for television by the legendary creators of South Pacific, Carousel and The Sound of Music.
Boasting music by Richard Rodgers with lyrics and a book by Oscar Hammerstein, Cinderella debuted on US television in 1957 with Julie Andrews giving an Emmy nominated performance in the title role.
Cinderella was re-made twice for TV – in 1965 with a teenage Lesley Ann Warren starring and in 1997 with pop star Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother.
The small screen musical was first performed on stage at the London Coliseum in 1958 and productions followed across the US and in the Far East. The show was transformed into a Broadway musical featuring a book by Tony Award-nominee Douglas Carter Beane (To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar) in 2013.
Welcoming Hope Mill’s production, Ted Chapin, the president of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organisation, said: “I am thrilled that the modern Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella will be getting its UK theatrical premiere at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester.
“Yes, the tale is tried-and-true, and yes, Ella of the Cinders has inspired many an adaptation, but there is only one time that the great team of Rodgers and Hammerstein put her squarely in their focus – and it took many years after the US television premiere to find a proper theatrical footing. When this version opened on Broadway in 2013, its tagline was ‘Glass slippers are so back’.
“With a wink to the Cinderella traditions of the past – except pantos! – and a solid foot in a world where people take more control over their own lives, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella has already charmed new generations of musical theatre enthusiasts.”
Angela Thomas
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