Cast announcement for Michael Morpurgo's "The Butterfly Lion"

Curve theatre, New Perspectives and Derby theatre are delighted to announce that one of Britain’s best loved actors, Gwen Taylor will appear in a new stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s heart-warming family story THE BUTTERFLY LION. Adapted and directed by New Perspectives’ Daniel Buckroyd, the play will Premiere at Curve theatre on Tuesday 17 April (previews from 12 April).

Bertie rescues an orphaned lion cub whilst growing up in South Africa. However, when he’s sent back to England to go to boarding school, the young cub is sold to a circus. Both boy and cub miss the bond which has grown between them . . . but will they ever meet again?

The audience travels in time with Bertie and Millie from the early years of the twentieth century, through the First World War and right up to the present day. Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning novel paints a series of powerful images and Daniel Buckroyd’s adaptation will take these images from page to stage as this drama of friendship, separation, and suffering unfolds.

Gwen Taylor will play ‘Millie’. Born in Derby, Gwen is one of Britain’s leading actresses and has had numerous roles on both stage and screen, most recently appearing in CORONATION STREET as Ann Foster.

Her numerous television roles include HEARTBEAT; BARBARA; A BIT OF A DO; DUTY FREE; CLASS ACT; PILGRIM’S REST; A PERFECT STATE; INSPECTOR MORSE; MURDER MOST HORRID; MOVING STORY; WYCLIFFE; HOLBY CITY; SOME KIND OF LIFE; TIES OF BLOOD; YES PRIME MINISTER; ANTIGONE and FOREVER YOUNG, and she recently had guest roles on DOC MARTIN, MIDSOMER MURDERS, BORN AND BRED and FAT FRIENDS.Her wealth of theatrical experience includes roles in CALENDAR GIRLS (UK tour); QUARTET (UK tour); PRICK UP YOUR EARS (Comedy Festival and UK tour); ABOUT ALICE (national tour); ARMS AND THE MAN (national tour); MOMENT OF WEAKNESS (national tour); PICASSO’S WOMEN (national tour); LETTICE AND LOVAGE (Theatre Royal, Bath and tour); the title role in SHIRLEY VALENTINE; HERITAGE and THE GLASS MENAGERIE at Derby Playhouse.

Gwen also appeared in Monty Python’s LIFE OF BRIAN and RICHARD’S THINGS.