What a line-up! Clare Burt has been announced as Kelsey Grammar's co-star in the greatly anticipated BIG FISH! She completes the company of the show which will open this November at The Other Palace...
Clare Burt is today announced to star as ‘Sandra Bloom’ alongside the previously announced Kelsey Grammer as ‘Edward Bloom’ in a new production of John August and Andrew Lippa’s BIG FISH. Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Pictures film screenplay by John August, this new production will be the London premiere of the musical and also marks Kelsey’s first time on the London stage.
Directed by Nigel Harman, BIG FISH will play at The Other Palace from Wednesday 1 November 2017 – Sunday 31 December 2017, with a Press Night on Tuesday 7 November and a Gala Night on Wednesday 8 November.
Clare Burt was the winner of the UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Musical for her portrayal of ‘Mrs Harris’ in “Flowers for Mrs Harris” at the Sheffield Crucible. She created the role of ‘Jan’ in the original production of the award-winning musical “London Road” at the National Theatre. Her other National Theatre credits include “Sunday in the Park with George” and “Coram Boy”. Clare’s Donmar Warehouse credits include the musicals “Into the Woods”, “Company” and “Nine”. She also appeared as ‘Eunice’ in the Young Vic’s acclaimed production of “A Streetcar Named Desire”.
Kelsey Grammer played the role of ‘Dr. Frasier Crane’ in the NBC sitcoms “Cheers” and “Frasier” for which he has won five Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe awards. In 2010 Kelsey made his Broadway musical debut playing the lead role of ‘Georges’ in “La Cage Aux Folles”, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. He also originated the roles of ‘Charles Frohman’ and ‘Captain Hook’ in the Broadway premiere of the musical “Finding Neverland”.
BIG FISH will be directed by Nigel Harman, director of the upcoming tour of “Shrek The Musical” and perhaps better known to audiences for his stage and TV work as an actor. Nigel first met with writers John and Andrew in 2016 and the vision and creativity they shared for this new version was evident. Nigel said “When I first encountered the piece I was struck by its depth of humanity and it's zest for life. A story that celebrates life in all of its wonders and despairs. A simple tale told in the most extraordinary way. It has been wonderful to revisit the music, book and lyrics with John and Andrew”
The cast of BIG FISH is completed by Matt Seadon-Young (Les Misérables, Beautiful, Pride) as ‘Will Bloom’, Frances McNamee (Little Shop of Horrors) as ‘Josephine Bloom’, Forbes Masson (Travesties, Dr.Faustus) as ‘Amos/Don’, Jamie Muscato (Lazarus, Bend it Like Beckham)as ‘Edward’, Laura Baldwin (Shrek, Alice in Wonderland) as ‘Sandra’, Landi Oshinowo (Shrek, Sister Act) as ‘Witch/Jenny Hill’, Dean Nolan (Fiddler on the Roof) as ‘Karl’, and George Ure (Sweeney Todd, Wicked) as ‘Zaki’. They are joined by Sophie Linder-Lee (The Rocky Horror Show, Wicked), Gemma McMeel (Titanic and Candide), Tanisha Spring (Beautiful, Thriller Live) and Jonathan Stewart (Guys and Dolls).
