Casting announced for new musical MOOMINVALLEY IN NOVEMBER
Casting has been announced for Moominvalley in November, the upcoming musical based on the final of Tove Jansson’s Moomin novels, which will play Upstairs at the Gatehouse from 23 October-16 November.
Set over the final days of autumn, this sombre but life-affirming story follows six characters, all at a crossroads in their lives, who decide to pay a visit to Moominvalley.
Jane Quinn (Handbagged, National Theatre) will play Fillyjonk, the neighbour of the Moomins who is unusually particular about tidiness, with Matthew Heywood (Zorro the Musical, Charing Cross Theatre) taking on the green hat of fan-favourite character Snufkin, while Stuart Simons (Magic of the Musicals, London Palladium) will play Hemulen, a collector and organiser looking for a new path in life.
Joining them will be Izzie Winters (My Sister is Missing, King’s Head Theatre/The Other Palace) as Toft, a mysterious orphan eager to meet the Moomins, Martin Callaghan (Merrily We Roll Along, Menier Chocolate Factory) as the happily senile Grandpa Grumble and, making her stage debut, Abigail Yeo will take on the role of the free-spirited Mymble.
Writer and composer Hans Jacob Hoeglund said: “When I first read this book as a 10-year old, I was terribly confused. Like Toft, I desperately wanted the Moomin family to come back and make everything right! I think growing up we all experience some form of loss, or this feeling that life is not necessarily going to be what you’d want it to be. The musical is about coming to terms with that. It has some dark moments, but it is also very funny. The characters are all looking for something. Ultimately, it’s a story about six very different people coming together as a family.”
Behind the curtain, Amanda Noar returns to the Upstairs at the Gatehouse director’s chair, bringing her extensive experience directing musical theatre. She will be joined by set and costume designer Lu Herbert, lighting designer Chris McDonnell, and orchestrator Jen Green.
For more info on Moominvalley in November, please click here.
