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.
| 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 |
Production history
editWorld premiere: London (2023-24)
editThe 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
editA 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
edit|
Act I
|
Act II
|
Cast and characters
edit| 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
edit| 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
editReviews 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
edit- ^ 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.