| Roald Dahl's The Witches | |
|---|---|
 Poster for the original production | |
| Music | Dave Malloy |
| Lyrics |
Dave Malloy Lucy Kirkwood |
| Book | Lucy Kirkwood |
| Basis |
The Witches by Roald Dahl |
| Premiere | 7 November 2023: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London |
| Productions | 2023 London |
The Witches (or Roald Dahl's The Witches) is a stage musical with book and lyrics by Lucy Kirkwood and music and lyrics by Dave Malloy, based on Roald Dahl's 1983 children's novel of the same name.
Production history
World premiere: London (2023-24)
The musical had its world premiere in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London as a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company on 21 November 2023 (following previews from 7 November), running until 27 January 2024. The production will be directed by Lyndsey Turner and choreographed by Stephen Mear. [1] [2] [3]
Full casting was announced on 4 September 2023 including Katherine Kingsley as the Grand High Witch, Daniel Rigby as Mr. Stringer and Sally Ann Triplett as Gran. [4]
Premise
A boy and his grandmother live in a world run by witches, and The Grand High Witch is planning to turn the world's children into mice. [2]
Musical numbers
|
Act I
|
Act II
|
Cast and characters
| Character | London [5] |
|---|---|
| 2023 | |
| Grand High Witch | Katherine Kingsley |
| Gran | Sally Ann Triplett |
| Mr Stringer | Daniel Rigby |
| Luke | Bertie Caplan Frankie Keita Vishal Soni |
| Bruno | Cian Eagle-Service George Menezes Cutts William Skinner |
| Helga | Jersey Blu Georgia Asanda Abbie Masike Chloe Raphael |
| Helen / Social Worker | Julie Armstrong |
| Melanie / Ensemble | Chrissie Bhima |
| Pippa | Zoe Birkett |
| Leticia / Potwasher | Maddison Bulleyment |
| Carol / Denise | Miracle Chance |
| Alison | Daniele Coombe |
| Dad / Sous Chef | Richard David-Caine |
| Pamela | Molly-May Gardiner |
| Kathy | Tiffany Graves |
| Head Waiter | Adrian Grove |
| Chef Chevalier / Doctor | Irvine Iqbal |
| Swing | Emily Langham |
| Emily | Bobbie Little |
| Bernice / Nurse | Tania Mathurin |
| Shelia | Amira Matthews |
| Kevin / Commis Chef | Jacob Maynard |
| Winnie / Mum | Laura Medforth |
| Mr Jenkins | Ekow Quartey |
| Chloe's Dad / Potager | Ben Redfern |
| Mrs Jenkins / Jan | Maggie Service |
| Cheryl | Alexandra Waite-Roberts |
| Young Company | Nesim Adnan, Alaia Broadbent, Chenai Broadbent, Cristian Buttaci, Sekhani Dumezweni, Rudy Gibson, Florence Gore, Elara Jagger, Annabelle Jones, Jemima Loosen, Charlie Man-Evans, Iesa Miller, Jack Philpott, Sienna Sibley, Savannah Skinner-Henry, Poppy-Mei Soon, Benjamin Spalding, Dylan Trigger, Alice Valeriano, Sasha Watson-Lobo, Stella Yeoman |
Production team
| London (2023) [6] | |
|---|---|
| Director | Lyndsey Turner |
| Set and Costume | Lizzie Clachlan |
| Choreographer | Stephen Mear |
| Music Supervisor | Nigel Lilley |
| Music Director | Cat Beveridge |
| Lighting Designer | Bruno Poet |
| Co-Sound Designer | Alexander Caplen |
| Co-Sound Designer | Ian Dickinson |
| Video Designer | Ash J Woodward |
| Illusions | Chris Fisher
Will Houston |
| Casting Director | Bryony Jarvis-Taylor |
Critical reception
Reviews were positive, the New York Times calling it a "deftly rendered production, a high-quality piece of family entertainment that skilfully blends the playful and the macabre, and does justice to the author’s distinct comic style.". [7] The Independent [8] and Time Out London both gave it 5 stars, Time Out calling it "a hysterically funny triumph". [9] Broadway World also gave it 5 stars, saying it "combines exuberant fun, quick-witted comedy and a positive attitude towards death to produce an enthralling, clever and incredibly funny production.". [10]
References
- ^ Bamigboye, Baz (2023-04-19). "Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' To Cast A Song-And-Dance Spell At London's National". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ a b "Katherine Kingsley to star in 'The Witches'". London Theatre. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ Wild, Stephi. "National Theatre Will Present Roald Dahl's THE WITCHES From Dave Malloy and More". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2023-09-04). "Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' London Stage Musical Unveils Full Cast". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
- ^ "Roald Dahl's The Witches new musical to be staged at the National Theatre". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ "The Witches". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ "Review: In 'The Witches' Musical, the Playful and the Macabre". The New York Times. November 22, 2023.
- ^ "The Witches review: This essential Roald Dahl musical warms your heart and chills your bones all at once". The Independent. November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Review". Time Out London. November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Review". Broadwayworld.com. November 22, 2023.