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The Witches (musical)

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Roald Dahl's The Witches
Poster for the original production
MusicDave Malloy
LyricsDave Malloy
Lucy Kirkwood
BookLucy Kirkwood
BasisThe Witches
by Roald Dahl
Premiere7 November 2023 (2023-11-07): Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London
Productions2023 London

The Witches (or Roald Dahl's The Witches) is a stage musical with book and lyrics by Lucy Kirkwood and music and lyrics by Dave Malloy, based on Roald Dahl's 1983 children's novel of the same name.

Production history

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World premiere: London (2023-24)

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The musical had its world premiere in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London as a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company on 21 November 2023 (following previews from 7 November), running until 27 January 2024. The production will be directed by Lyndsey Turner and choreographed by Stephen Mear.[1][2][3]

Full casting was announced on 4 September 2023 including Katherine Kingsley as the Grand High Witch, Daniel Rigby as Mr. Stringer and Sally Ann Triplett as Gran.[4]

Premise

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A boy and his grandmother live in a world run by witches, and The Grand High Witch is planning to turn the world's children into mice.[2]

Musical numbers

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Cast and characters

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Character London[5]
2023
Grand High Witch Katherine Kingsley
Gran Sally Ann Triplett
Mr Stringer Daniel Rigby
Luke Bertie Caplan
Frankie Keita
Vishal Soni
Bruno Cian Eagle-Service
George Menezes Cutts
William Skinner
Helga Jersey Blu Georgia
Asanda Abbie Masike
Chloe Raphael
Helen / Social Worker Julie Armstrong
Melanie / Ensemble Chrissie Bhima
Pippa Zoe Birkett
Leticia / Potwasher Maddison Bulleyment
Carol / Denise Miracle Chance
Alison Daniele Coombe
Dad / Sous Chef Richard David-Caine
Pamela Molly-May Gardiner
Kathy Tiffany Graves
Head Waiter Adrian Grove
Chef Chevalier / Doctor Irvine Iqbal
Swing Emily Langham
Emily Bobbie Little
Bernice / Nurse Tania Mathurin
Shelia Amira Matthews
Kevin / Commis Chef Jacob Maynard
Winnie / Mum Laura Medforth
Mr Jenkins Ekow Quartey
Chloe's Dad / Potager Ben Redfern
Mrs Jenkins / Jan Maggie Service
Cheryl Alexandra Waite-Roberts
Young Company Nesim Adnan, Alaia Broadbent, Chenai Broadbent,
Cristian Buttaci, Sekhani Dumezweni, Rudy Gibson,
Florence Gore, Elara Jagger, Annabelle Jones,
Jemima Loosen, Charlie Man-Evans, Iesa Miller,
Jack Philpott, Sienna Sibley, Savannah Skinner-Henry,
Poppy-Mei Soon, Benjamin Spalding, Dylan Trigger,
Alice Valeriano, Sasha Watson-Lobo, Stella Yeoman

Production team

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London (2023)[6]
Director Lyndsey Turner
Set and Costume Lizzie Clachlan
Choreographer Stephen Mear
Music Supervisor Nigel Lilley
Music Director Cat Beveridge
Lighting Designer Bruno Poet
Co-Sound Designer Alexander Caplen
Co-Sound Designer Ian Dickinson
Video Designer Ash J Woodward
Illusions Chris Fisher

Will Houston

Casting Director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor

Critical reception

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Reviews were positive, the New York Times calling it a "deftly rendered production, a high-quality piece of family entertainment that skilfully blends the playful and the macabre, and does justice to the author’s distinct comic style.".[7] The Independent[8] and Time Out London both gave it 5 stars, Time Out calling it "a hysterically funny triumph".[9] Broadway World also gave it 5 stars, saying it "combines exuberant fun, quick-witted comedy and a positive attitude towards death to produce an enthralling, clever and incredibly funny production.".[10]

References

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  1. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (2023-04-19). "Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' To Cast A Song-And-Dance Spell At London's National". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  2. ^ a b "Katherine Kingsley to star in 'The Witches'". London Theatre. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  3. ^ Wild, Stephi. "National Theatre Will Present Roald Dahl's THE WITCHES From Dave Malloy and More". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  4. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2023-09-04). "Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' London Stage Musical Unveils Full Cast". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  5. ^ "Roald Dahl's The Witches new musical to be staged at the National Theatre". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  6. ^ "The Witches". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ^ "Review: In 'The Witches' Musical, the Playful and the Macabre". The New York Times. November 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "The Witches review: This essential Roald Dahl musical warms your heart and chills your bones all at once". The Independent. November 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "Review". Time Out London. November 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "Review". Broadwayworld.com. November 22, 2023.