Full cast announced for THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE at National Theatre

The National Theatre has announced full casting for Jim Cartwright’s modern classic The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. 

Directed by Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie, this new production will run in the Dorfman theatre from 2 December - 23 January before embarking on a tour across England, supported by Arts Council England. 

As previously announced, BAFTA Award-winning actor, Paul Chuckle will play the role of Mr Boo, Olivier Award-winning actress Jill Halfpenny will play the role of Mari Hoff, and Ian Charleson Award-winner Francesca Mills will play the title role of Little Voice.

They are joined by Beverly Rudd (Trollied, Sky/NOW) as Sadie, Daniel Ryan (The Bay, ITV) as Ray Say, Adonis Siddique (Withnail and I, Birmingham Rep) as Billy, and Noel White (Hamlet, National Theatre) as Telephone Man and understudy Ray Say/Mr Boo. 

Completing the company are Alice Croft (ensemble and understudy Little Voice), Kofi Dennis (ensemble and understudy Billy/Telephone Man), and Nicky Swift (ensemble and understudy Mari Hoff/Sadie). 

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a joyful, tender and bittersweet celebration of music, ambition and the courage it takes to be heard featuring iconic music from the likes of Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and more.

Following its run at the National Theatre, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will visit Newcastle, Sheffield, Coventry, Salford, Canterbury, Wolverhampton, and Plymouth. 

The hardest voice to find is your own.

Alone in the sanctuary of her small bedroom, Little Voice fills the air with pitch‑perfect renditions of her deceased dad’s prized record collection of the great divas, from Judy Garland to Billie Holiday.

But when her mother Mari’s latest fling, local wheeler dealer Ray, hears her sing he’s certain he’s struck gold. Will Little Voice be pushed into a spotlight she never asked for?

Joining director Robert Hastie on the creative team is set and costume designer Janet Bird, lighting designer Paul Pyant, sound designer Mike Walker, composer and music director David Shrubsole, movement director Ira Mandela Siobhan, fight and intimacy director Bethan Clark, casting directors Alastair Coomer CDG and Harry McDonald, dialect coach Hazel Holder, and voice coach Zoe Littleton. 

For more info on The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, please click here.