Full casting has been announced for the world premiere production of FANNY, a new comedy by Calum Finlay, which plays at The Watermill from 23 May-15 June.

...who?

You’ll probably know her younger brother, Felix Mendelssohn, from 19th century smash hits like The Wedding March. He was the Cliff Richard of his day and was even asked to play at a personal concert for Queen Victoria. But only if he played her favourite piece of music ever, a song called Italien. However, we now know that Felix was forced to admit to the Queen that, in actuality, the piece had been composed by his sister, Fanny, and simply published under his name.

FANNY imagines that Fanny intercepts a letter addressed to ‘F. Mendelssohn’ inviting Felix to play for Queen Victoria. As the true composer of Italien, she decides to hide the letter, don her brother’s clothes, and take his place at the palace…cueing a race across Europe and a furious Felix.

Directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, this fun and irreverent new comedy celebrates classical music and - at last - recognises the work of a composer overlooked for her sex.

The cast includes Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show, BBC; The Play That Goes Wrong, West End & Broadway) as Fanny, Corey Montague-Sholay (Bacon, Finborough Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, Riverside Studios, Bristol Old Vic & Soho Playhouse, New York) as Felix, Harry Kershaw (The Play That Goes Wrong, West End; Peter Pan Goes Wrong, West End & Broadway) as Paul, Kim Ismay (Elf The Musical, West End; Wicked, West End, UK & International Tour) as Lea, George Howard (Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall) as Willhelm, and Jade May Lin (professional debut) as Clara.

The creative team also includes composer and musical director Yshani Perinanayagam, casting director HJB Casting, set and costume designer Sophia Pardon, lighting designer David Howe, and sound designer Thomas André Wasley.

Director Katie-Ann McDonough said: "FANNY is a story that needs to be told and I’m excited to bring it to life with this incredible cast and creative team. Fanny Mendelssohn’s story has been waiting in the background for far too long and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it with us."

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