Miss Littlewood, a new British musical, is making its debut later this year at The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon and the full casting has just been announced!
The musical is based around the anarchic revolutionary of 20th century theatre, Joan Littlewood. It will be directed by Erica Whyman and will feature book, music and lyrics by Sam Kenyon. Clare Burt will be making her RSC debut in the role of Littlewood with Aretha Ayeh, Sandy Foster, Amanda Hadingue, Dawn Hope, Emily Johnstone and Sophia Nomvete also playing the part of Joan at different stages of her life.
Completing the cast are Daisy Badger (Rosalie), Greg Barnett (Jimmie Miller/Cedric Price), Laura Elsworthy (Shelagh Delaney), Solomon Israel (Gerry Raffles), Natasha Lewis and Tam Williams (Murray Melvin).
This is a show I’m keeping an eye on as The RSC are known for producing critically-acclaimed musicals such as Matilda The Musical and Les Miserables, which are both still running on the West End. I am a big advocate for new British theatre especially in the musical theatre industry as in the past few years the West End especially seemed like it was only receiving Broadway transfers or revival productions. This past season we have seen new British musicals such as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, The Grinning Man and Romantics Anonymous transfer into the West End and hopefully Miss Littlewood follows.
There is a short video on the RSC’s YouTube Channel of Sam Kenyan talking about how the show found its name and it gives such a great vibe of what the show will be. He said that he’s “written this in homage to the Stockwell-born ‘illegitimate’ daughter of a teenage mother, who has inspired theatre makers worldwide and yet is barely known by her name.” The new artwork, featuring Joan’s profile, makes the show feel like a classic already as I love shows that have a really distinguishable look, such as the iconic Matilda pose and Cosette’s silhouette for the Les Miserables logo.
I have high hopes for this show and am excited to see any more excerpts that are released and how the set and costumes will look. I feel Miss Littlewood sounds like the makings of an Olivier Awards winning show so let’s hope that this is the beginning of a new legendary British musical!
Keep Stagey Aeronauts!
AJ x
