Adapted from the 1992 live-action Disney musical of the same name, Newsies tells the story of the New York City Newsboys’ Strike of 1899 and described as a “brand new immersive production in the round”, this new London production will run at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre from 29 November 2022.
The cast will be led by Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Legally Blonde) as Jack Kelly and Bronté Barbé (What’s New, Pussycat?) as Katherine Plumber.
They’re joined by Moya Angela (Medda Larkin), Lindsay Atherton (Ensemble), Samuel Bailey (Specs), Imogen Bailey (Swing), Josh Barnett (Race), Cameron Blakely (Joseph Pulitzer), Jack Bromage (Tommy Boy), Bobbie Chambers (Ensemble), Alex Christian (Buttons), Arcangelo Ciulla (Ike), George Crawford (Morris Delancey), Ross Dawes (Snyder), Joshua Denyer (Mush) and Ross Dorrington (Splasher).
Completing the adult cast are Matthew Duckett (Crutchie), Kamilla Fernandes (Ensemble), Jacob Fisher (Albert), Jamie Golding (Wiesel), Damon Gould (Finch), Zack Guest (Swing), Jordan Isaac (Swing), Alex James-Hatton (Oscar Delancey), Clarice Julianda (Ensemble), Barry Keenan (Nunzio), Ryan Kopel (Davey), Siôn Lloyd (Bunsen), George Michaelides (Romeo), Mukeni Nel (Jo Jo), Joshua Nkemdilim (Elmer), Mark Samaras (Mike), Bradley Trevethan (Swing), Matt Trevorrow (Henry) and Lillie-Pearl Wildman (Ensemble).
The child role of Les will be shared by Nesim Adnan, Haydn Court, Oliver Gordon and Ethan Sokontwe.
Set in New York City at the turn of the last century and based on a true story, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, leader of a ragged band of teenage “newsies” who dream only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when two publishing titans raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for.
The production will be directed and choreographed by Olivier nominee Matt Cole, with set design by Morgan Large, musical supervision, dance arrangements & musical direction by Nigel Lilley, costumes by Natalie Pryce, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Tony Gayle, performer flying by John Maddox for Suspended Illusions Ltd, casting by Lucy Casson, children’s casting by Jo Hawes, fight directors Rachel Bown-Williams & Ruth Cooper-Brown for RC Annie, associate choreographer Jane McMurtrie, associate musical director Chris Ma and production management by Lee Batty and Andy Fox for Setting Line.
The stage adaptation has a book by Harvey Fierstein with music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, who penned songs for the original film.
