The full cast has been confirmed for the world premiere of Maiden Voyage at London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 19 July to 23 August 2025 (press night is 26 July).
The new musical Maiden Voyage, with book and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Carmel Dean, is based on the inspirational story of how Tracy Edwards skippered the first all-female crew aboard a ship called Maiden and made history competing in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.
It’s 1987 and young galley cook Tracy has just bought a 10-year-old, run down yacht. Her plan? To lead the first all-female sailing crew in an ocean race around the world.
Charting a thrilling and unforgettable journey across oceans and horizons, the crew of the ‘Maiden’ are soon making history. But how did this young woman end up being the navigator and skipper on such a ground-breaking race? Was it a chance encounter with King Hussein of Jordan? Belief in herself and her team despite the odds? What is it that makes a person do the unexpected and extraordinary?
With book and lyrics by Dickstein (Little Women, Benny & Joon), music by Carmel Dean (Renascense, Well-Behaved Women), this epic true story comes to life in a sweeping, extraordinary new musical.
Chelsea Halfpenny (9 to 5: The Musical, Savoy Theatre, Waitress, UK and Ireland tour) will play Tracy Edwards, with Naomi Alade (SIX, Vaudeville Theatre, Eugenius! The Musical, Turbine Theatre) as Jo, Laura Tyrer (Chicago, European tour, High Society/Gypsy, The Mill at Sonning) as Pat, Shahaf Ifhar (Tom Lehrer is Teaching Math and Doesn’t Want to Talk to You, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Indecent, JW3) as King Hussein, Juliette Artigala (Les Misérables, Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, We’ll Have Nun of It, Edinburgh Festival Fringe/The Other Palace) as Michele/Tanja, Alex Bowen (Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre, Bat Out of Hell, Peacock Theatre/international tour) as Dawn Riley, Molly Cleere (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, UK tour, Mamma Mia! The Party, O2 Arena) as Nancy, Sam DeFeo (professional debut) as Mandi, Olivia Hewitt-Jones (Rocky Horror Show, European tour, Dick Whittington, Salisbury Playhouse) as Marie Claude, Rowan Macpherson (Spring Awakening, Phoenix Arts Club, Babies, The Other Palace) as Sally, Olivia Mitchell (Cinderella, New Hull Theatre, Waitress, UK tour) as Claire, Billy Roberts (Mrs Doubtfire the Musical, Shaftesbury Theatre, I Should Be So Lucky the Musical, UK and Ireland tour) as Walter/Reporter/Navigator and Daniel Robinson (Glory Ride, Charing Cross Theatre, Heathers: The Musical, The Other Palace) as Howard Reporter.
Leading the crew: (clockwise) Chelsea Halfpenny, Naomi Alade and Laura Tyrer
Presented by Mark Cortale, Dale Franzen, Jonathan Murray and Harvey Reese in association with Shared Experience, the production will be directed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson with orchestrations by Michael Starobin. The creative team also includes musical director Simona Budd, casting director Harry Blumenau and associate director Kirsty Malpass.
Commenting on their musical, creators Dean and Dickstein said: “We wanted to write about women facing challenges head-on – Tracy’s inspirational story ticked all the boxes for us. And we heard music at every turn. Courage sings. Pushing yourself to the limits of your abilities and beyond sings.
“The ocean, sings. Tracy and her crew are the definition of doing the hard things even when no one thinks you can.”
Director Overfield Wilkinson added: “As a director who has worked in the musical theatre industry for over 35 years, it means a lot to me to tell the story of these strong amazing women who defied the critics and naysayers to achieve such phenomenal success in the challenges they faced.”
Producers Cortale and Franzen commented: “As producers, we are drawn to stories of unexpected heroes like Tracy Edwards who are compelled to risk everything for a dream that almost everyone thinks is impossible. We hope this story will inspire others to fearlessly take the helm and follow their dreams.”
Maiden Voyage runs at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London SE11 4RX from 19 July to 23 August 2025 (press night is 26 July). Show times: Monday to Saturday 7pm and Sunday at 6:30pm; Matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2:30pm. Captioned Performance: 19 August at 7pm. The running time is one hour and 30 minutes (no interval and no re-entry). Ticket prices: Standard from £20/Concessions from £16/Previews £16/Pioneers’ Preview (19 July) £10. Box Office: 020 7407 0234. How to get to Elephant Venue: The nearest stations are Elephant & Castle and Kennington.
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