The Witches (musical)
Musical
The Witches (or Roald Dahl's The Witches ) is a stage musical with book and lyrics by Lucy Kirkwood and music and lyrics by Dave Malloy , based on Roald Dahl 's 1983 children's novel of the same name .
Production history
World premiere: London (2023-24)
The musical had its world premiere in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London as a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company on 21 November 2023 (following previews from 7 November), running until 27 January 2024. The production will be directed by Lyndsey Turner and choreographed by Stephen Mear .[ 1] [ 2] [ 3]
Full casting was announced on 4 September 2023 including Katherine Kingsley as the Grand High Witch, Daniel Rigby as Mr. Stringer and Sally Ann Triplett as Gran.[ 4]
Premise
A boy and his grandmother live in a world run by witches, and The Grand High Witch is planning to turn the world's children into mice.[ 2]
Musical numbers
Act I
A Note about Witches (The Witches) Ready to Go (Luke, Young Company) How to Recognise a Witch (Gran, Young Company) Heartbeat Duet (Luke, Gran) Magnificent (Mr Stringer, Hotel Staff) Bruno Sweet Bruno (Bruno, Company) Processional (Melanie, The Witches) One Day (Grand High Witch, The Witches) Metamorphosis (Grand High Witch, The Witches) Down with Children (The Witches)
Act II
Don’t Say Mice (Mr Stringer, Luke, Bruno, Hotel Staff) When I Was Young (Gran) Wouldn’t It Be Nice? (Grand High Witch) Out! Out! Out! (Mr and Mrs Jenkins, Mr Stringer, Grand High Witch, Gran, Hotel Guests & Staff) Get Up (Helga, Hotel Kids) Bon Appétit (Chef Chevalier) Kitchen Caper (Luke, Kitchen Staff) Get Up (Reprise) (Luke, Young Company) Soup Time (Kitchen Staff, Mr Stringer, The Witches) The Heart of a Mouse (Gran, Luke, Company)
Cast and characters
Character
London[ 5]
2023
Grand High Witch
Katherine Kingsley
Gran
Sally Ann Triplett
Mr Stringer
Daniel Rigby
Luke
Bertie Caplan Frankie Keita Vishal Soni
Bruno
Cian Eagle-Service George Menezes Cutts William Skinner
Helga
Jersey Blu Georgia Asanda Abbie Masike Chloe Raphael
Helen / Social Worker
Julie Armstrong
Melanie / Ensemble
Chrissie Bhima
Pippa
Zoe Birkett
Leticia / Potwasher
Maddison Bulleyment
Carol / Denise
Miracle Chance
Alison
Daniele Coombe
Dad / Sous Chef
Richard David-Caine
Pamela
Molly-May Gardiner
Kathy
Tiffany Graves
Head Waiter
Adrian Grove
Chef Chevalier / Doctor
Irvine Iqbal
Swing
Emily Langham
Emily
Bobbie Little
Bernice / Nurse
Tania Mathurin
Shelia
Amira Matthews
Kevin / Commis Chef
Jacob Maynard
Winnie / Mum
Laura Medforth
Mr Jenkins
Ekow Quartey
Chloe's Dad / Potager
Ben Redfern
Mrs Jenkins / Jan
Maggie Service
Cheryl
Alexandra Waite-Roberts
Young Company
Nesim Adnan, Alaia Broadbent, Chenai Broadbent, Cristian Buttaci, Sekhani Dumezweni, Rudy Gibson, Florence Gore, Elara Jagger, Annabelle Jones, Jemima Loosen, Charlie Man-Evans, Iesa Miller, Jack Philpott, Sienna Sibley, Savannah Skinner-Henry, Poppy-Mei Soon, Benjamin Spalding, Dylan Trigger, Alice Valeriano, Sasha Watson-Lobo, Stella Yeoman
Production team
London (2023)[ 6]
Director
Lyndsey Turner
Set and Costume
Lizzie Clachlan
Choreographer
Stephen Mear
Music Supervisor
Nigel Lilley
Music Director
Cat Beveridge
Lighting Designer
Bruno Poet
Co-Sound Designer
Alexander Caplen
Co-Sound Designer
Ian Dickinson
Video Designer
Ash J Woodward
Illusions
Chris Fisher
Will Houston
Casting Director
Bryony Jarvis-Taylor
Critical reception
Reviews were positive, the New York Times calling it a "deftly rendered production, a high-quality piece of family entertainment that skilfully blends the playful and the macabre, and does justice to the author’s distinct comic style.".[ 7] The Independent[ 8] and Time Out London both gave it 5 stars, Time Out calling it "a hysterically funny triumph".[ 9] Broadway World also gave it 5 stars, saying it "combines exuberant fun, quick-witted comedy and a positive attitude towards death to produce an enthralling, clever and incredibly funny production.".[ 10]
References
Children's fiction Children's poetry Adult novels Short story collections Non-fiction Film adaptations Film scripts Television series Musicals and plays See also