The thought of outdoors theatre was fine earlier this week, not so much right now! For the brave, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have confirmed full casting for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, which plays 31 July – 25 September. Joining the already announced Carly Bawden (Julie Jordan), Declan Bennett (Billy Bigelow), John Pfumojena (Enoch Snow), Joanna Riding (Nettie Fowler) and Natasha May Thomas (Louise Bigelow) are Brendan Charleson (Mr Bascombe), Jo Eaton-Kent (Mrs Mullin), Sam Mackay (Jigger Craigin), Ediz Mahmut (Young Enoch) and Christina Modestou (Carrie Pipperidge).
The ensemble includes: Chanelle Anthony, Craig Armstrong, William Atkinson, Shay Barclay, Sarah Benbelaid, Madeline Charlemagne, Freya Field, Sebastian Goffin, Amie Hibbert, Tim Hodges, Lukas Hunt, Tessa Kadler, Lindsay McAllister, Matthew McKenna, Jack Mitchell, Charlotte Riby, Lisa Ritchie and Daisy West.
Rather perversely, I find myself quite fancying the idea of a return visit to The Prince of Egypt, despite my reservations last time. That’s mainly because of a strong lead cast, almost all of whom are returning – Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Christine Allado (Tzipporah), Alexia Khadime (Miriam), Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Tuya), Mercedesz Csampai (Yocheved), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari) and Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron), with Clive Rowe (Jethro) stepping in for Gary Wilmot.
Also appearing are Simbi Akande, Casey Al-Shaqsy, Joe Atkinson, Danny Becker, Felipe Bejarano, Pàje Campbell, Catherine Cornwall, Adam Filipe, Soophia Foroughi, Natalie Green, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Kalene Jeans, Christian Knight, Jessica Lee, Oliver Lidert, Daniel Luiz, Jay Marsh, Scott Maurice, Carly Miles, Alice Readie, Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Christopher Short, Molly Smith, Ricardo Walker, Danny Williams, Niko Wirachman and Sasha Woodward.
Mamma Mia is going back to the island from 25th August. Returning to the cast will be Mazz Murray as Donna, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, and Sophie Matthew as Lisa. They will be joined by Josie Benson as Tanya, Gemma Goggin as Rosie, Emma Mullen as Sophie, Jack Danson as Sky, Tegan Bannister as Ali, Michael Nelson as Eddie and Alexandros Beshonges as Pepper, with Natalie Langston playing the role of Donna at certain performances.
Also new to the cast will be Gemma Atkins, Chloe-Jo Byrnes, Nicole Carlisle, Angus Good, Natalie Jayne Hall, James Humpleman, Morgan Jackson, George Olney, Kyle Turner and Alex Woodward, who will be joining Natasha Agnew, Chloe Ames, Frankie Jones, Lauren Hampton, Grace Moorhouse, Jodie Nolan, Dan O’Brien, Michael Storrs, Michael Tyler and Simon Willmont.
I wasn’t much of a fan tbh but should you wish, Pretty Woman will be returning, albeit to the Savoy Theatre, shifting from the Piccadilly Theatre to make room for Moulin Rouge. Reopening day has been set for 8th July for the lead cast of Aimie Atkinson and Danny Mac plus Rachael Wooding, Bob Harms, Neil McDermott and Mark Holden.
The rest of the company features Jemma Alexander, Andy Barke, Kimberly Blake, Katie Bradley, Oliver Brenin, Olivia Brookes (joining as first cover Vivian), Alex Charles, Olly Christopher, Ben Darcy, Hannah Ducharme, Nicholas Duncan, Paige Fenlon, Damon Gould, Alex Hammond, Tom Andrew Hargreaves (joining as ensemble / 1st cover Stuckey / 2nd cover Edward), Antony Hewitt, Matt Jones, Serina Mathew, Katie Monks, Joanna Woodward and Charlotte Yorke.
I quite fancy seeing the inside of the newly renovated Trafalgar Theatre but I’ll probably wait until its first tenant moves on. Should you fancy seeing Jersey Boys though, the key cast has been revealed as Ben Joyce as Frankie Valli, Adam Bailey as Bob Gaudio, Benjamin Yates as Tommy De Vito and Karl James Wilson as Nick Massi.
Also in the cast will be Ben Irish (Bob Crewe), Mark Isherwood (Gyp de Carlo), Elliot Allinson (Swing), Koko Basigara (Lorraine), Melanie Bright (Mary Delgado), Jack Campbell (Swing), Carl Douglas (Norm/Hank), Matteo Johnson (Joe Pesci), Huon Mackley (Swing), Jacob McIntosh (Barry Belson), Bonnie Page (Swing), Andy Smith (Swing) and Helen Ternent (Francine).
