The Sherlock star and Sunset Boulevard leading man are the first stars confirmed for Tony-nominated composer Andrew Lippa’s new show at London’s Royal Festival Hall in May.
A Little Princess, written by Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family, The Wild Party) will receive its UK premiere at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on Monday 28 May and the composer/lyricist will be flying in from the US to conduct the semi-staged concert performance featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Multi Olivier Award-winner and Tony Award nominee Arlene Phillips, who directs, has already been involved in auditioning thousands of youngsters for the 10 child star roles.
With book and lyrics by Brian Crawley (Violet), A Little Princess is based upon Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic childhood novel. It tells the story of Sara Crewe, as she is sent from her home in Africa to boarding school in London and separated from her father.
As young Sara’s world is turned upside down, she must rely on her friends and imaginative powers to overcome her strict headmistress Miss Minchin and prove that every little girl deserves to be a princess.
Further casting and
Amanda Abbington, best known for playing Mary Morstan, the wife of John Watson, in the BBC’s global hit Sherlock (for which she was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award, for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Mini-series) and series regular Miss Mardle in Mr Selfridge, will play Miss Minchin in her musical theatre debut.
Danny Mac, currently starring in his award-winning leading man role as Joe Gillis on the No.1 UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, acclaimed for his starring role in On The Town at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and a much-loved finalist on last year's Strictly Come Dancing, will play Captain Crewe.
