Full casting announced for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL at Hope Mill Theatre
Full casting has been announced for Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL, which will receive its regional premiere at Hope Mill Theatre from 10 October-30 November 2025, directed and choreographed by Nick Winston.
Ore Oduba (Picture You Dead; The Rocky Horror Show, UK tour) will star as Dr Frederick Frankenstein, alongside Jessica Martin (Spitting Image, Doctor Who) as Frau Blücher, Rhiannon Chesterman (I Wish You Well, West End) as Elizabeth Benning, Pete Gallagher (Fisherman’s Friends The Musical, UK tour/Toronto) as The Monster, Curtis Patrick (Pretty Woman, UK Tour) as Igor, Simeon Truby (Wicked, West End) as Inspector Hans Kemp/Harold the Hermit, and Julie Yammanee (Jerry’s Girls, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Inga.
The cast is completed by Belle Kizzy Green (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, UK Tour), Robin Kent (Chicago, UK Tour), Bryan Mottram (Back To The Future The Musical, West End), Alanna Panditaratne (Peter Pan, Victoria Theatre Halifax), Oliver Ramsdale (Chicago, UK Tour), Hakeem Tinubu (Singin’ in the Rain, International Tour), Patricia Wilkins (Back To The Future The Musical, West End) and Jessica Wright (42nd Street, Sadler’s Wells/UK Tour/ Toronto).
On joining the cast of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Oduba said: “What a dream come true. Mel Brooks is a genius of comedy and Young Frankenstein is as iconic a title as it gets. I watched the most recent production in the West End through tears of laughter! Can’t wait to start ‘Putting on the Ritz’ with our talented cast, crew and creatives. And in such a renowned venue as the Hope Mill Theatre, it’s going to be an unforgettable eight weeks in Manchester.”
Adapted by Mel Brooks from his legendary 1974 film starring Gene Wilder, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN tells the story of the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") who inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.
Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original as it will be to newcomers, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN has all the panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair added. It will surely be the perfect opportunity for a production company to showcase an array of talents. With such memorable tunes as ‘The Transylvania Mania’, ‘He Vas My Boyfriend’ and ‘Puttin' on the Ritz’ by Irving Berlin, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.
Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN has a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, orchestrations by Doug Besterman & Mark Cumberland, and original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. This production will have direction and choreography by Nick Winston, musical direction and co-musical supervision by Francesca Warren, set design by Sophia Pardon, orchestrations and co-musical supervision by Charlie Ingles, sound by Ben Harrison, lighting by Aaron J Dootson, video and projection design by Matt Powell, costumes by Lorraine Parry, wigs and make-up design by Nicola Thorp, and casting by Jim Arnold.