The special fundraising concert of Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques The Musical will have two performances in Manchester before a one-night show at the Shaftesbury Theatre in November.
The cast of Acorn Antiques The Musical. Photo provided by production.
Acorn Antiques The Musical will return to London for the first time since 2005 with concert performances to raise money for Hope Mill Theatre's Outreach programme. The theatre celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Based on the parodic soap opera of the same name by Victoria Wood, Acorn Antiques The Musical made its debut in the West End in 2005 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, and a UK Tour took place two years later in 2007. Set in a northern English town is a struggling antique shop run by eccentric characters. They face threats from corporate takeovers, amnesia, and love affairs.
Starring in the iconic roles will be Katherine Kingsley as Miss Babs (The Witches, National Theatre), Gina Beck as Miss Berta (Matilda the Musical, West End), Anna-Jane Casey as Miss Bonnie (Cabaret, West End), Tony Jayawardena as Mr Clifford (Ackley Ridge, BBC), Rob Madge as Derek (Cabaret, West End), Harry Hepple as Tony (Hello Dolly!, London Palladium), May Tether as Mimi (Heathers, The Other Palace), Elliot Broadfoot as Hugh (Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!, West End), Grace Mouat as Miss Wellbelove (Mean Girls, West End) Sally Bankes as Christine (The Winter’s Tale, the RSC), George Crawford as Minchin’s lad (The Great Gatsby, London Coliseum), Laura Medforth as Miss Cuff (Hello Dolly!, London Palladium), Steve Elias as Mr Watkins (Godspell, UK tour), Samuel Holmes as Mr Furlong (Calamity Jane, UK Tour), Daniele Coombe as Miss Willoughby (original West End cast of Acorn Antiques the Musical), Bradley Judge as Postie (Sister Act, Dominion Theatre) and Althea Burey (The Parent Agency, Chester Storyhouse) as Lucy Lollipop.
Reprising her role is Ria Jones as Mrs Overall (Sunset Boulevard, Curve at Home, UK Tour & London Coliseum).
The concert will be directed by Hope Mill’s own Joseph Houston and William Whelton with musical direction and supervision by Nigel Lilley, choreography by Sammy Murray, sound by Matt Peploe, set design by Sophia Pardon, costume design by Lorraine Parry, wigs by Chrissie Baker, lighting by Aaron Dootson, orchestrations by Chris Walker, assistant musical direction by Archie McMorran and artwork by Steph Pyne.
Acorn Antiques The Musical in Concert will play at the Shaftesbury Theatre, home of Just For One Day, on 9 November.
