Multi award-winning jazz artist Jamie Cullum to compose music for RSC's THE CONSTANT WIFE
Multi-million-selling British pianist, singer and broadcaster Jamie Cullum will make his theatrical debut with the RSC this summer, composing new music for The Constant Wife by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade, based on W. Somerset Maugham’s original play of the same title.
The production will be directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey and feature Rose Leslie (Vigil, Miss Austen, Game of Thrones) in the lead role.
Jamie Cullum said: “I am thrilled to be composing the music for The Constant Wife and so excited to be working in theatre like this for the first time. As a composer who often works within the jazz genre, I am very familiar with the idea of evolving traditions and searching for new ways to play classic material. I feel honoured that the brilliant RSC are entrusting me with this opportunity to bring some musical ingenuity to Laura’s deliciously funny and subversive adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s original 1926 script. It’s already been a joy working with Tamara Harvey and bouncing ideas around with her. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into rehearsals.”
RSC Co-Artistic Director and director of The Constant Wife, Tamara Harvey, said: “It’s brilliant to be working with Jamie on the music for The Constant Wife. Jamie’s contribution has invigorated contemporary jazz and engaged a new generation of listeners. Who better to help us create the world of The Constant Wife, 100 years after it was written? Laura Wade has injected this brilliant classic play with her modern sparkle and bite and Jamie’s music promises to bring another dimension to the story. I’m so excited to see where we go together – it’s already sounding incredible.”
The Constant Wife will play at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 20 June-2 August. Full casting will be announced soon.
Joining Wade and Harvey on the creative team are set and co-costume designer Anna Fleischle, co-costume designer Cat Fuller, lighting designer Ryan Day, composer Jamie Cullum, sound designer Claire Windsor, movement director Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, and casting director Charlotte Sutton CDG.