LAURA PITT-PULFORD AND MICHAEL FRENCH LEAD THE COMPANY OF THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Leicester’s Curve theatre today announces casting for their production of The Sound of Music.
Paul Kerryson will direct a cast including Emma Clifford (Baroness Elsa Schraeder), Michael French (Captain Von Trapp), Emma Harrold (Liesl Von Trapp), Mark Inscoe (Max Dettweiler), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Maria Rainer), Lucy Schaufer (Mother Abbess), Annie Wensak (Frau Schmidt), and Jack Wilcox (Rolf Gruber). Also in the company are João Carolina, Hannah Grace, Susannah Van Den Burg and Rebecca Ridout.
The production opens on 3 December, with previews from 28 November, and runs until 17 January. Full casting, including children from Curve’s community cast, will be announced shortly.
Over the past five years Curve’s Christmas musicals have become increasingly popular, receiving widespread critical acclaim and attracting audiences from all over the UK. This year, Paul Kerryson reunites the talented team behind the smash-hit production of, Chicago with Choreographer Drew McOnie and Musical Director Ben Atkinson returning for brand new version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music.
Originally a hit Broadway and West End musical, then followed by the beloved 1965 movie version, The Sound of Music remains one of the most popular musicals of all time. Set against the idyllic landscape of the Austrian Alps, this heart-warming tale based on a true story follows spirited young nun Maria and her relationship with the Von Trapp family. With a timeless score including Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things and Climb Ev’ry Mountain, this global phenomenon continues to enchant audiences across the world.
Emma Clifford plays Baroness Elsa Schraeder. Her theatre credits include Batman Live (UK & US tour), Twelfth Night (Old Rep Theatre Birmingham and international tour), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Chaste Maid in Cheapside (Bristol Old Vic) and Much Ado About Nothing (RSC). For television, her work includes Upstairs Downstairs; and for film, John Carter, Pelican Blood and Vampire Killers.
Michael French plays Captain Von Trapp. For theatre, his work includes in the West End – West Side Story (Her Majesty’s), Radio Times (Queens Theatre), Les Miserables (Palace Theatre), Sacred Heart (Royal Court Upstairs), Art (Wyndhams) and Chicago (Adelphi).His television work includes EastEnders (David Wicks), Casualty and Holby City (Nick Jordan), Crime Traveller, The Fabulous Bagel Boys, The Gentleman Thief, and Born and Bred (Tom Gilder).
Emma Harrold plays Liesl Von Trapp. Her theatre credits Happy Days (UK Tour), The Fantasticks (Jermyn Street Theatre), Hamlisch (St. James Theatre), Tess of the D’Urbervilles (New Wimbledon Studio Theatre) and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Union Theatre).
Laura Pitt-Pulford returns to Curve to play Maria. She recently performed in Piaf and Hello Dolly!. Her other theatre credits include The Return of the Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre), The Light Princess (National Theatre), A Man of No Importance (Salisbury Playhouse), Mack and Mabel and Parade (Southwark Playhouse), title role in Sweet Charity (Belfast MAC), The Little Prince (Lyric Belfast), Guys and Dolls (the Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, Clwyd Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse) and Copacabana (Watermill Theatre, Newbury).
Lucy Schaufer returns to Curve to play Mother Abbess, having previously appeared in The Light in the Piazza. Her other credits include On the Town (English National Opera, Théatre du Châtelet in Paris), The Firebrand of Florence (Barbican/BBC Symphony Orchestra), Sweeney Todd (Opera North), One Touch of Venus and Lady in the Dark (ENCORES! New York), Very Warm for May (Carnegie Hall) and Great Performances: Ira Gershwin at 100 – A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (PBS Television).
Jack Wilcox returns to Curve to play Rolf Gruber. He previously appeared in 42nd Street. His other theatre work includes West Side Story (UK tour), Singin’ in the Rain (Chichester Festival Theatre and Palace Theatre), Shoes (Peacock Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria).
For Curve, Paul Kerryson’s work includes Chicago, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Piaf, Hello, Dolly!, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Buried Child, Gypsy, Absurd Person Singular, The Light in the Piazza, The King and I (also UK tour), 42nd Street, The Pillowman and The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
For tickets and further information visit www.curveonline.co.uk