The Magician's Elephant (musical)

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The Magician's Elephant
The Magician's Elephant musical poster.jpg
Production poster
MusicMarc Teitler
Lyrics
  • Nancy Harris
  • Marc Teitler
Book Nancy Harris
Basis The Magician's Elephant
by Kate DiCamillo
Premiere18 October 2021:
Royal Shakespeare Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon
Productions

The Magician's Elephant is a musical with book and lyrics by Nancy Harris and music and lyrics by Marc Teitler, based on the 2009 children's novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo.

Contents

Production history

Stratford-upon-Avon (2021)

The musical was announced to make its world premiere as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's winter 2020 season, running in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the production was postponed to run over the 2021 winter season running from 18 October 2021 to 1 January 2022. [1]

The production is directed by Sarah Tipple, designed by Colin Richmond with lighting design by Oliver Fenwick. [2] [3]

On 9 July 2021, initial casting was announced and a recording of a song from the show "If This Is True" was released on YouTube, followed by another song "A Lot Like Me" released on 26 July 2021. [4] [5]

Cast and characters

CharacterStratford-upon-Avon (2021)
NarratorAmy Booth-Steel
Peter Duchene Jack Wolfe
Vilna Lutz Mark Meadows
AdeleMiriam Nyarko
Leo MatienneMarc Antolin
Gloria MatienneMelissa James
Countess Quintet Summer Strallen
Count QuintetSam Harrison
Madame LaVaughnRenu Arora
The MagicianAlastair Parker
The ElephantZoe Halliday
Wela Mbusi
Suzanne Nixon
Police Chief Forbes Masson
Milliner / Dance Teacher / Police Officer Sharif Afifi
Baker / Police OfficerAlison Arnopp
Young Police Officer / LamplighterChrystine Symone
Sister MarieMandi Symonds
LisetteLauren Jones
Mrs GriswaldWendy Somerville
FishmongerLucca Chadwick-Patel
DoctorStephen John Davis
Peter's Mum / SwingHannah Brown
Peter's Dad / SwingMichael Carolan
SwingRianna Ash
SwingMatt Bateman

Reception

The Stratford-upon-Avon production received positive reviews from the critics and audiences receiving mostly four star reviews. [6] [7] [8]

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References

  1. Sutherl, Gill (2 June 2020). "RSC confirms it is closed until at least October". Stratford Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. McPhee, Ryan (4 February 2020). "Royal Shakespeare Company to Present The Magician's Elephant Musical and The Wars of the Roses". Playbill. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. Snow, Georgia (4 February 2020). "Royal Shakespeare Company to stage new family musical and The Wars of the Roses in 2020". The Stage. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. "RSC's The Magician's Elephant musical announces initial casting | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  5. If This Is True | The Magician's Elephant , retrieved 9 July 2021
  6. Davis, Clive. "The Magician's Elephant review — a family spectacle filled with magic". ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  7. Cavendish, Dominic (29 October 2021). "The Magician's Elephant, review: the RSC's back with a spectacular fantasy". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. "The Magician's Elephant review – the RSC conjures up a musical spectacle | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.