Moby Dick! The Musical, originally produced in the West End in 1992 by Cameron Mackintosh for a short-lived run at the Piccadilly Theatre, is to return to London for the first time since then.
It will begin performances October 12, prior to an official opening October 18, at the New Union Theatre for a run through November 12; the new production will be directed and choreographed by Andrew Wright.
Wright is a two-time Olivier nominee for Best Choreographer for the revivals of Singin' in the Rain and Guys and Dolls, both of which originated in Chichester before transferring to the West End.
With book by Robert Longden and music and lyrics by Longden and Hereward Kaye, Mackintosh commented, “When I first put on Robert Longdon and Hereward Kaye’s irrepressible version of Moby Dick! The Musical 25 years ago, London had virtually no Off West End theatres and the outrageous joy of shows like The Producers and The Book of Mormon were still decades away. An unlikely alliance between Melville's great novel and the immortal St Trinian’s girls, Moby Dick! is truly a whale of a tale. I’m really delighted that Andrew Wright saw the show as a student in Oxford and has taken up his harpoon to bring Moby roaring back to the New Union Theatre with a wonderful diverse young cast of school 'girls’ to holler 'Thar She Blows!’'
The musical is set at St. Godley's Academy for Young Ladies, which is being threatened with closure. Determined to save their school from bankruptcy, the resourceful girls and their unflappable headmistress come up with a plan to keep the school afloat. Using whatever they can find, the girls mount an original production as a fundraiser—a musical version of Herman Melville's classic novel Moby Dick, featuring their own headmistress in the coveted role of Captain Ahab.
In a press statement, Wright commented, “I am very excited to bring Moby Dick! The Musical back to London after 25 years. I saw the original production at the Oxford Fire Station in 1991 and fell in love with its anarchic charm and sheer exuberance. The New Union Theatre is the perfect venue to unleash the girls of St. Godley's version of this classic tale. 25 years on, the piece feels more relevant than ever and after waiting all that time it will hopefully be the dick you’ve been waiting for!”
The show will be produced by Amy Anzel in association with Matt Chisling. The musical director will be Lee Freeman, with set design by Anna Kelsey, costumes by Ryan Walklett, lighting by Tim Deiling, sound by James Nicholson and casting by Adam Braham.
According to press materials, audience members who come in school uniform will get front-row onstage seats and play a part in St. Godley's version of Moby Dick!
To book tickets, visit uniontheatre.biz.
