Cinderella will finally go to the ball when the delayed UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella dances into Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in November.
Originally due to make its debut at the popular Ancoats venue in 2020, the production will take to the stage in Manchester from 1 November until 11 December 2022.
The venue’s founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton head the creative team for the eagerly anticipated production with Houston as director and Whelton as choreographer. The creative team is completed by musical supervisor Leo Munby, musical director Audra Cramer, with new musical arrangements by Jason Carr, set and costume design by Elly Edowski, projection design by George Reeve, lighting design by Aaron J Dootson, wig design by Richard Mawbey, casting by Jane Deitch and artwork by Steph Pyne.
Full casting will be announced at a later date.
Announcing the revised dates for the production, Hope Mill’s co-founder and artistic director Houston said: “It was devastating having to make the decision to cancel our production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2020, due to the outbreak of Covid.
“The incredible creative team we have assembled, worked so hard to create a stunning and truly exciting new version of this beloved musical, from wonderful new orchestrations to beautiful set design, and we are thrilled that we are able to finally bring this show to life at Hope Mill Theatre later this year. We can’t wait to welcome audiences of all ages through our doors, to enjoy this truly magical musical, proving that nothing is Impossible!”
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.
Produced by Hope Mill Theatre, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd, on behalf of R&H Theatricals.
Commenting on Hope Mill’s production, the president of Concord Theatricals, Bill Gaden said: “We’re delighted that Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella will make its UK theatrical premiere at the Hope Mill Theatre.
“The modern Broadway adaptation of the classic musical features new characters, a hilarious libretto, surprising twists, and an unforgettable score from Rodgers & Hammerstein.
“Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews to a viewership of 107 million, the largest in history at the time, the title has been charming audiences ever since. We look forward to Manchester theatregoers experiencing the updated incarnation today.”
Hope Mill hopes to continue with its successful First Curtain ticket initiative by offering access to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Launched in 2020 at the same time as the initial announcement of the production, the scheme was set up to provide funded tickets for local young people to have their first theatre experience. The inaugural First Curtain scheme raised almost £5,000 and allowed eight local schools and over 100 young people to attend performances of the venue’s hit production of The Wiz in 2021.
Angela Thomas
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