New British musical THE HIGHWAYMAN to premiere this summer

OVO and Norwich Theatre present a fierce musical ride through love, larceny and 17th century debauchery! Inspired by the classic poem by Alfred Noyes, the world premiere of original British musical The Highwayman, directed by OVO’s award-winning Artistic Director Adam Nichols, takes audiences on a full-throttle musical gallop through the grimy underbelly of 1600s England, where love is as dangerous as a back-alley brawl.

The musical plays at Norwich Theatre Playhouse from 14-18 August, Roman Theatre St Albans from 3-8 September, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich from 12-14 September, and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds from 2-5 October.

Writer Kitty Morgan’s wildly entertaining, tragically romantic re-imagining of the classic tale features a cast of richly drawn restoration rogues and romantics – from a mysterious conquistador to a rip-roaring East End landlady, and even special guest appearances from Nell Gwynn and King Charles II himself.

Kitty Morgan said: “Two years ago, I set out to write a musical inspired by the beautiful Alfred Noyes poem, and infamous 16th century true-crime Highwayman Claude Duval, who I read about in the very London boozer from which he was arrested and marched to execution. The musical had its own ideas, however, and what has emerged is a fierce, contemporary, bittersweet, feminist rollercoaster ride.”

The Highwayman is set in 1666, but tackles issues that are sadly still universal and pertinent today, including women's experiences navigating a male dominated world, growing up in a criminal underclass, and, as the locals sing "abuse, addiction, poverty and love." A company of rogues and a live band whisks us along this wild ride of laughter, heartbreak and hope.

Kevin Wathen (Skellig, Young Vic) plays the titular role of Duval, The Highwayman, a dashing rogue and self-proclaimed sociopath, while Guido Garcia Lueches (The Jungle Book, Watermill Theatre) will play his close friend and partner in crime, Thomas French. Josselyn Ryder (A Letter To Harvey Milk, Offie Nominated Lead Performance - Waterloo East) will play The Highwayman’s love interest, Bess.

James Dangerfield (Henry V, UK Tour) will step into a royal role as King Charles II and Lyle Fulton (Mosquitoes, Chichester Festival Theatre) returns to the UK’s oldest producing theatre as Davy Pixley. Faith Turner (Much Ado About Nothing, Minack Theatre), will star as Jem, with Emily Law (Honk!, UK Tour) undertaking the iconic role of Nell Gwynn, and Melissa O’Donnell (Soprano soloist at Royal Albert Hall, Star Wars:The Phantom Menace) will be pitch perfect as Rose. The daughter of The Highwayman, Peggy, will be played by Natasha Spencer-Levy (Dr Zhivago in Concert, Cadogan Hall).

Musical Director Adam Morris has arranged Kitty Morgan’s original tracks, including ‘The Devil Came Down’, ‘Welcome to the Hole in the Wall’, and the eponymous ‘The Highwayman’.

Founder and Artistic Director for OVO Adam Nichols said: “From the moment Kitty first played me the opening chords of The Highwayman theme, I fell in love with this extraordinary musical, and knew I had to direct it. Being part of the show’s development over the past 18 months has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my theatre career, and I can’t wait to share this beautiful, funny, gut-wrenching musical with the world in 2024.

Produced by OVO and Norwich Theatre, The Highwayman will entertain audiences with a tub thumping pub singalong in which a live band reimagines tavern tunes and folk ballads in contemporary arrangements, painting the picture of this devastating love story in and amongst the crime ridden filth. Grab your tankard and come along for the ride of your life!