Producers have announced the cast for the world premiere of a spanking new version of the Tim Rice musical comedy Blondel.
Following the trials and triumphs of an ambitious minstrel in King Richard the Lionheart’s court, Blondel will get its London premiere at the Union Theatre from Wednesday 21 June – Saturday 15 July.
Connor Arnold has been cast in the title role as Blondel. Connor is a 2016 graduate from Mountview Academy Of Theatre Arts. He recently played The Pardoner on a European tour of Canterbury Tales. His previous credits include Silent Witness (BBC1) and Catch Me at the Arts Theatre.
The rest of the cast features: Courtney Bowman (Winner Stephen Sondheim Performer of The Year 2016, she’s just played Fatimah in the acclaimed new musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Sheffield Crucible); Michael Burgen (Patsy, Spamalot, West End, Samuel, The All-Male Pirates of Penzance, UK Tour); Lauren Byrne (recently in the UK tour of Sunny Afternoon as first cover Rasa); David Fearn (A Christmas Carol, Lyceum Theatre); Ryan Hall (making his professional debut after graduating from Mountview); Oliver Marshall (has just played Rumbold in Forty Years On at Chichester Festival Theatre; Dog Boy in the musical Side Show, Southwark Playhouse); Jessie May (Regina in Rock of Ages, UJK toourt, Sophie, Mamma Mia!, West End); Katie Meller (Billie Trix in Closer to Heaven, Union Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera, West End); Calum Melville (featured soloist, Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton at the Royal Albert Hall); Neil Moors (Caiaphas, Jesus Christ Superstar, UK Tour, Pirate King, The All-Male Pirates of Penzance, UK Tour); Craig Nash (currently in 110 in the Shade, Ye Olde Rose and Crown, Mark Cohen in Rent); Michaela Stern (Soho Cinders, Union Theatre, You Won’t Succeed on Broadway, If You Don’t Have Any Jews, international tour); James Thackeray (Compliance, Theatre503, A Haunting, King’s Head Theatre); Jay Worthy (Call Me Madam, Little Shop of Horrors, Parade).
Tim Rice said:
“I’m delighted Blondel is returning to the stage. It was one of the most enjoyable projects of my career, and I’ve always felt Stephen Oliver’s wonderful music deserved a larger audience than it reached back in 1983 when the show first ran. I hope this new production at the terrific Union Theatre will please old fans and find some new ones.”
Blondel has lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Stephen Oliver. The book is by Tom Williams and Tim Rice, with additional music by Mathew Pritchard.
Creative team: Director Sasha Regan. Choreographer Chris Whittaker. Musical Director Simon Holt. Designer Ryan Dawson Laight. Lighting Designer Iain Dennis. Music Co-ordinator Pete Hobbs. Assistant MD Oliver George Rew. Casting Adam Braham Casting.
Producers Aaron Rogers & Sasha Regan for Union Theatre, Donald Rice for Heartaches Limited.
LISTINGS INFO
BLONDEL
Wednesday 21 June – Saturday 15 July
Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2.30pm
Ticket prices: £25/£22.50 | £20 previews
lyrics by Tim Rice book by Tom Williams & Tim Rice music by Stephen Oliver additional music by Mathew Pritchard
directed by Sasha Regan
Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, London SE1 0LR
This live theatrical animation, in association with Village Underground features original big screen cartoons accompanied with live music from The Officer Pup band (who are all dressed as dogs). It is based on the music of Harry Partch and George Herriman’s influential Krazy Kat cartoon which set up the dichotomy of anthropomorphic cat and mouse.
The surreal and satirical animations are by Paul Barritt, whose recent successes include Golem which premiered at the Young Vic before transferring to the West End. Audiences can expect high octane action, with Lesley Ewen providing the dramatic narration and costumes by Octavia Austin.
The composer for the production is Laurence Owen with Siemy Di on drums and percussion and Sam Sallon on keys – together they are The Officer Pup Band.
The production is Village Underground’s first foray into producing theatre and represents the development of the venue which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year – it’s a really exciting moment for them as a venue.
