Producers today announce full casting for the world premiere stage production of Michel Hazanavicius’ multi–Academy Award-winning film The Artist. The cast includes Nicole Alphonce (Swing/Dance Captain), Alexander Bean (Clifton), Will Bozier (Ensemble), Matthew Caputo (Ensemble), Tiffany Graves (Gertie Gams), Tim Hodges (Swing), Lukas Hunt (Swing/Dance Captain), Lily Laight (Ensemble), Deja Linton (Ensemble), Tyler Lotzof (Ensemble), Louis Mackrodt (Ensemble), Shayna McPherson (Swing) , Ebony Molina (Doris Valentin), Rachel Muldoon (Constance), Mark Samaras (Ensemble), Thomas Walton (Uggie) and Daisy West (Ensemble).
They join multi award-winning international dancer and actor Robbie Fairchild as silent movie icon George Valentin, returning to the UK stage for the first time since his acclaimed leading performance in An American In Paris, West End favourite Gary Wilmot as Al Zimmer, and introducing Briana Craig (42nd Street tour) as Peppy Miller.
Drew McOnie, Artistic Director of The McOnie Company, said: “It is such a privilege to work alongside this exceptional group of world class artists. Being part of an original cast on any project requires a heart full of hope, unbelievable stamina, patience, good humour, and otherworldly talent and this company have that in abundance. I’m very excited and even more grateful.”
Tickets are now on sale for The Artist at Theatre Royal Plymouth, where the production beginsits journey with a strictly limited run from Saturday 11 May until Saturday 25 May 2024.
The Artist is co-adapted for the stage by Lindsey Ferrentino and Drew McOnie and directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie. The multi award-winning creative team includes set and costume designs by Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts I & II, Red, Disney’s Frozen), music by Tony and Olivier Award winner Simon Hale (Girl From The North Country, Get Up Stand Up!), the Musical Director is Isaac McCullough,lighting by Zoe Spurr (Good, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World), sound by Tony and Olivier Award winner Simon Baker (Matilda The Musical, A Christmas Carol), video by Ash J Woodward (The 47th, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), puppetry by Maia Kirkman-Richards (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), casting by Will Burton and the Associate Director/Choreographer is Ebony Molina.
The Artist is a McOnie Company production produced by Theatre Royal Plymouth, The McOnie Company, Playful Productions, Bill Damaschke and Underbelly.
In 1920s Hollywood the business of making dreams come true is in full swing.
Silent movie icon George Valentin has long been the darling of the silver screen when he falls for aspiring actress Peppy Miller.
But while her star is about to rise, his might soon flicker out: amidst all the glamour, laughter and romance, the silent movie industry is on the brink of a revolution.
With the Talkies on their way, George must either find his voice in a brave new world or lose everything he holds dear to a bygone era.
The Artist has mesmerised film audiences across the world for over a decade, winning five Academy Awards, seven BAFTAs and three Golden Globe Awards. Now the beguiling love story is reinvented for the stage in a dazzling celebration of silent cinema that blends cutting-edge theatre-making with iconic music of the period.