Initial casting announced for RSC’s THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT

Initial casting has been announced for the RSC’s new musical production of The Magician’s Elephant, which receives its stage premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 14 October 2021-1 January 2022.

Based on Kate DiCamillo’s children’s novel, the musical production has a book and lyrics by Nancy Harris and music and lyrics by Marc Teitler.

The principal cast includes: Keisha Amponsa Banson as Gloria Matienne, Marc Antolin as Leo Matienne, Sam Harrison as Count Quintet, Forbes Masson as Police Chief, Mark Meadows as Vilna Lutz, Alastair Parker as Magician, Summer Strallen as Countess Quintet and Jack Wolfe as Peter Duchene.

Completing the cast are Sharif Afifi (Milliner), Alison Arnopp (Baker), Hannah Brown (Swing), Michael Carolan (Swing), Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Fishmonger), Stephen John Davis (Doctor), Zoe Halliday (The Elephant), Wela Mbusi (The Elephant), Suzanne Nixon (The Elephant), Wendy Somerville (Mrs Griswald) and Mandi Symonds (Sister Marie).

The production was originally scheduled to open in October 2020 but was postponed due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, which included the temporary cancellation of all RSC performances, events and other activities. The production will mark the re-opening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre following the pandemic and the return of audiences to indoor performances at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Magician’s Elephant tells the story of orphan Peter Augustus Duchene, who lives a frugal life in the lonely town of Baltese. Then one day, a magician conjures an elephant from the sky. The animal’s appearance sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that it changes Baltese forever. Peter is catapulted into the quest of his life, overturning everything he ever thought he knew, and discovering that happiness can come from the most unexpected places.

This new adaptation will be directed by Sarah Tipple, with design by Colin Richmond, lighting by Oliver Fenwick, music supervision and musical direction by Tom Brady, orchestrations by Sarah Travis and Marc Teitler, vocal arrangements by Tom Brady and Marc Teitler, sound by Paul Groothuis, movement by Francesca Jaynes, puppetry direction by Mervyn Millar, and puppetry design by Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller.

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.