Casting has been announced for the much-anticipated European Premiere of Peter and the Starcatcher, being staged by Northampton’s Royal & Derngate this Christmas. Audiences will take an unforgettable journey through the Neverland they never knew, as Northampton’s Royal stage is transformed for this bold new production, directed by Luke Sheppard, who recently helmed the three-time Olivier Award-winning In the Heights.
Winner of five Tony Awards for its hugely successful run on Broadway and one of the most produced plays in America last year, this fascinating and funny prequel to Peter Pan brings one of classic literature's most beloved characters to life.
Leading the cast is Evelyn Hoskins (Carrie, Southwark Playhouse; This is My Family, Sheffield Crucible and UK tour; Spring Awakening, Lyric Hammersmith) as Molly, Micheal Shea in his professional stage debut as Peter, Greg Haiste (Nell Gwynn, Shakespeare’s Globe and West End; A Christmas Carol, Royal & Derngate) as pirate leader Black Stache and Dan Starkey (Commander Strax in Doctor Who) as Smee.
The cast also features Michael Matus (Phantom of the Opera, West End; The Sound of Music, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Sebastien Torkia (Travels With My Aunt, Chichester Minerva; Sweeney Todd, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Royal Exchange), and the ensemble is completed by Marc Akinfolarin, Lewis Griffin, Ian Harris, Tendayi Jembere, William Pennington, Miles Yekinni and Tom Attwood (also musical director).
The final production in Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton 2016 season, Peter and the Starcatcher is directed by Luke Sheppard, whose recent credits, in addition to In the Heights, include The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ at Curve Leicester, and Oliver! at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury. Set design is by David Woodhead (Bugsy Malone, Leicester Curve; Titanic, Charing Cross Theatre) and costumes are designed by Gabriella Slade (In the Heights, Kings Cross Theatre, Southwark Playhouse; The Last Mermaid, Wales Millennium Centre). The Lighting Designer is Howard Hudson (Romeo and Juliet, Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company at the Garrick Theatre; The Rivals, Bristol Old Vic) and the Sound Designer is Gareth Fry whose recent credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, with other notable credits including National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch and the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
In this fantastical and funny adventure, join Starcatcher apprentice Molly as she embarks on a daring mission to stop a precious cargo of stardust from falling into the wrong hands. As well as meeting a very special orphan who helps to solve the mystery of how he became 'the boy who never grew up'.
Thirteen actors playing more than 100 characters use ingenious stagecraft, inventive storytelling and live music to whisk audiences to a magical world of lost boys, pirates, and mermaids.
This brand new production of Peter and the Starcatcher premieres from Tuesday 29 November to Saturday 31 December at Royal & Derngate in a collaboration with Paul Taylor-Mills, who also co-produced Luke Sheppard’s hit show In the Heights. Tickets, priced from £10 to £26*, can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
The play Peter and the Starcatcher is written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker. It was originally produced on Broadway by Nancy Nagel Gibbs, Greg Shaffert, Eva Price, Tom Smedes, and Disney Theatrical Productions. It is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International.
* A charge of £3 applies for all transactions over £15. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.
Creative Team
Director Luke Sheppard
Set Designer David Woodhead
Costume Designer Gabriella Slade
Lighting Designer Howard Hudson
Sound Designer Gareth Fry
Musical Director (and ensemble) Tom Attwood
Movement Director Tom Jackson Greaves
Cast
Marc Akinfolarin Alf and ensemble
Lewis Griffin Prentiss and ensemble
Greg Haiste Black Stache
Ian Harris Lord Aster and ensemble
Evelyn Hoskins Molly
Tendayi Jembere Ted and ensemble
Michael Matus Mrs Bumbrake, Teacher and ensemble
William Pennington Ensemble/Percussionist
Michael Shea Peter and ensemble
Dan Starkey Smee and ensemble
Sebastien Torkia Fighting Prawn, Mack, Sanchez, Grempkin and ensemble
Miles Yekinni Bill Slank, Hawking Clam and ensemble
Listings information:
Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP
Press Night: Friday 2 December 7.15pm
Dates: Tuesday 29 November to Saturday 31 December 2016
Times vary – Please see full schedule below
Tickets: £10 to £26*
Box Office: 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
* A charge of £3 applies for all transactions over £15. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.
Performance schedule:
Tue 29 November 7.15pm
Wed 30 November 7.15pm
Thu 1 December 7.15pm
Fri 2 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Sat 3 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Sun 4 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Tue 6 December 10.30am 2.15pm
Wed 7 December 10.30am 2.15pm
Thu 8 December 10.30am 2.15pm
Fri 9 December 10.30am 2.15pm
Sat 10 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Sun 11 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Tue 13 December 10.30am 2.15pm
Wed 14 December 10.30am 2.15pm
Thu 15 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Fri 16 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Sat 17 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Sun 18 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Tue 20 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Wed 21 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Thu 22 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Fri 23 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Sat 24 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Mon 26 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Tue 27 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
Wed 28 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Thu 29 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Fri 30 December 2.15pm 7.15pm
Sat 31 December 1.15pm 5.15pm
