Full cast announced for Dr. Seuss's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! at Leeds Playhouse
It’s 100 days to go until Christmas - the perfect time to announce the full company for Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Leeds Playhouse.
Artistic Director Tom Wright's spectacular festive production will play in the epic Quarry Theatre from 19 November - 16 January, led by acclaimed West End star Joel Montague in the iconic title role.
Making his stage debut as Young Max will be local actor Jack Arnold, while Yorkshire star of TV and stage Matt Sutton (A Woman of Substance, Channel 4) plays Old Max.
The residents of Who-ville will be brought to life by a company of acclaimed performers including Alison Fitzjohn as Grandma Who, Luke Latchman as Papa Who, Sharon Wattis as Mama Who and Timothy Speyer as Grandpa Who.
The ensemble company features Tom Ansell, Sèyí Awe, Kathryn Barnes, Emily Barnett-Salter, Jessica Barton, Jack Campbell, Zephaniah Gould, Harumi Maeda, Cara Gabrielle Thomas and Jacob Whawell. Together they will create the vibrant world of Who-ville, performing multiple characters and bringing the production's festive spectacle, choreography and musical numbers to life.
The cast combines performers with experience across the West End, UK touring productions and regional theatre, assembling a company full of exceptional vocal talent, comedy and storytelling skill for this brand-new UK production, which forms a centrepiece of Tom Wright's ambitious inaugural season at Leeds Playhouse.
Director Tom Wright said: "This is exactly the company this show deserves. It's a brilliant mix of talent, including some wonderful performers with strong Leeds and Yorkshire connections, all coming together to fill the Quarry with joy, energy and festive spirit. Bringing Who-ville to life on our stage this Christmas is going to be something really special, and I can't wait for audiences to feel that for themselves.”
Joining director Tom Wright on the creative team are set & costume designer Simon Higlett, choreographer Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, wigs, hair and makeup designer and dupervisor Alice Hardy, lighting designer Jai Morjaria, sound designers Rob Bettle and Sam Clarkson for Sound Quiet Time, musical supervisor Nick Barstow, musical director Livi Van Warmelo, adult casting director Annelie Powell CDG, and young company casting directors and general managers Keston & Keston.
The production will also feature a company of 14 young performers, selected from an open casting call launched by Leeds Playhouse and children's casting directors Keston & Keston earlier this year. Hundreds of young people from across the North of England were invited to submit self-tapes. Following workshops and recalls, Aba Batista, Lulu Barker, Jack Booth, Rudy Bragg, Zane Chaba, Minnie Day, Issa Leach, Ellie McArdle, Oliver Maurice, Karis Musongole, Cole Nicholson, Harper Philpott, Haiden Sihapanya and Isabel Zhang have been selected to join the company and will bring the children of Who-ville to life throughout the festive run.
The young performers were cast following an open invitation from Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director Tom Wright, who encouraged young people from across the region to audition for what he described as "a wonderfully imaginative and joyful story" centred on kindness, community and connection.
Director Tom Wright said: “Seeing the sheer talent and enthusiasm in the open auditions was a joy in itself. This region is full of brilliant young performers, and it means so much to give fourteen of them the chance to bring Who-ville to life on our main stage. It's exactly the kind of opportunity the Playhouse exists to create.”
For more info on How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, please click here.