Birmingham Hippodrome has announced the director and cast for their highly anticipated new musical, The Jingleclaw, which is set to entertain young audiences this festive season. The show will run from 12 December 2024 - 4 January 2025 and promises to be a raucously fun experience for the whole family.

Written by Robyn Grant and Tim Gilvin, The Jingleclaw tells the story of Astrid, a young girl with a big heart and even bigger ideas. In a cosy village nestled in the snowy mountains, the Shnootnoot Winter Festival is fast approaching. Astrid is busy practising to play with her school band. Everyone wants her to keep in time, but Astrid just wants to march to the beat of her own drum. Meanwhile, deep in the Winterwood, The Jingleclaw awakes, a mischievous monster who can’t STAND festive cheer and music.

Birmingham Hippodrome has appointed talented director Anthony Lau to direct The Jingleclaw, which is the first in a series of musicals for children produced by Birmingham Hippodrome – through the UK’s first in-house new musical theatre department - under their My First Musical banner.

Director Anthony Lau said: “Nurturing the next generation of theatre makers and goers is so important, and it’s brilliant that Birmingham Hippodrome recognise this and see the value in investing in great work made especially for them. I’m incredibly excited to be directing The Jingleclaw and to be a part of the Hippodrome’s innovative My First Musical programme. Robyn and Tim are supremely gifted writers with a knack for the mischievous and, with The Jingleclaw, we’re setting out to make a new musical for the whole family. We can’t wait to share the magic of a musical with them. With bats. And a power ballad. And a naughty, cuddly, monster who can’t stand festive cheer.”

The cast is a stellar lineup of talented performers who are set to bring the The Jingleclaw to life: Alexia McIntosh (SIX) will portray Jingleclaw, the endearing and mischievous creature at the heart of the story; Isabella Gervais (God Catcher, Edinburgh Fringe) will take on the role of little Astrid, bringing their exceptional vocal talents and charismatic stage presence to this fun character; Mpilo May (Soldier On, Sheffield City Hall) will play Dad, whose love and support for Astrid are unwavering; Miiya Alexandra (The King and I, West End/UK tour) joins the cast as Jacob, Astrid's loyal friend; Alex Cardall (What the Butler Saw, UK tour) will portray Hans; and Sue Appleby (The Winslow Boy, Frinton Summer Theatre) will bring the delightful character of Mrs. Whimsy to life.

In 2023, Birmingham Hippodrome established its New Musical Theatre department and The Jingleclaw is their first production. New artwork and imagery have also been released for the show. The New Musical Theatre department is led by Creative Director, Chris Sudworth, and Head of New Musical Theatre, Deirdre O’Halloran.

Chris Sudworth said: “It is so exciting to see this talented cast come together under Anthony’s direction, bringing the fun and silliness of Robyn and Tim’s writing to life. We also couldn’t have a more mischievous, playful performer in the title role than Birmingham’s own Alexia McIntosh – who Hippodrome audiences will remember from SIX and our 2021 panto, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Early rehearsals have been hugely energetic and entertaining. I can’t wait for our first new musical, The Jingleclaw, to bring the fun and festive cheer to the Patrick Studio.”

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