Full cast announced forThe Children’s Theatre PartnershipandRoyal & Derngate, Northampton’s co-production ofUnexpected Twist. It will open at Royal & Derngate, Northamptonon 11 February 2023 before embarking on a National Tour from 28 February 2023.
This new play with music, will starKate Donnachie(Aladdin)as Desree,Alex Hardie(Frankenstein: How To Make A Monster)as Gazz,Rosie Hilal(Harry Potter and the Cursed Child)as Miss Cavani,Drew Hylton(Annie)as Shona,Nadine Rose Johnson(Frankenstein: How To Make A Monster)as Rosie,Polly Lister(The Worst Witch)as Nan/Lorraine,Alexander Lobo Moreno(GrimeBoy)as Tino,James Meteyard(Coriolanus)as Pops,Liyah Summers(Our Lady Of Kibeho)as Rasheda, andThomas Vernal(The Book of Mormon)as Dad.
Unexpected Twistis a re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic,Oliver Twist, by one the best-loved figures in the children’s book world,Michael Rosen.Adapted for the stage by BAFTA award-winning playwrightRoy Williams(Soul,Sucker Punch), with original music by rising R&B starYaya Beyand BAC Beatbox Academy’sConrad Murray, also musical director,Unexpected Twistis a thrilling new production from the producing partnership behindHolesandThe Jungle Book, that will tour the UK following its Northampton premiere.Unexpected Twistwill be the final productionJames Dacre(Olivier Award-nominatedOur Lady Of Kibeho)directs in Northampton during his artistic leadership of Royal & Derngate.
Shona and her class are studying Oliver Twist. She’s new in school and keeps finding herself in trouble – much like Oliver himself! When she’s given a new phone by a stranger, she begins to suspect there’s something fishy about the new kids she’s met…
This brand new play brings to vivid life the worlds of both Shona and Oliver, as their stories twist together, unexpectedly!
Michael Rosen(Writer) said:“I have always been a huge lover of theatre and the dramatic arts. I believe in the power and value of live performance and rate it as an equal to all the other literary activities. I can’t describe what a thrill it is for me to know Unexpected Twist is going to be a play. I’ve already seen a draft script and it leapt off the page. I could immediately ‘see’ it as being a funny, tough, edgy, contemporary, powerful show. I am desperate to see it.”
Unexpected Twisthas design byFrankie Bradshaw(Two Trains Running) and choreography by Olivier Award-winningArielle Smith(Jolly Folly), lighting design byRory Beaton(Death Drop, For Black Boys), sound design byLeigh Davies(Matilda)with casting byAnnelie Powell CDG.
The creative team also includesSarah Stacey(Associate Director),Gurkiran Kaur(Voice Coach) andKate Waters(Fight Director). Production Management is byMartin Thompson(Northampton) andBen Arkell(Tour) withLisa Lewis(Company Stage Manager – Northampton),Neil Bull(Company Stage Manager – Tour),Karen Habens(Deputy Stage Manager),Sara-Jayne Smith(Assistant Stage Manager),Charles Parry(Sound No 1) andMolly English(Head of Wardrobe) completing the team.
MICHAEL ROSEN’S UNEXPECTED TWIST
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY ROY WILLIAMS
WITH MUSIC BY YAYA BEY AND CONRAD MURRAY
DIRECTED BY JAMES DACRE
DESIGNED BY FRANKIE BRADSHAW
LIGHTING DESIGN BY RORY BEATON
SOUND DESIGN BY LEIGH DAVIES
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY CONRAD MURRAY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY ARIELLE SMITH
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR SARAH STACEY
CASTING BY ANNELIE POWELL CDG
VOICE COACH GURKIRAN KAUR
FIGHT DIRECTOR KATE WATERS
PERFORMANCES FROM 11 FEBRUARY 2023
