The Worst Witch flies into Salford with an action packed new adventure for the stage

Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, Novel Theatre and Nica Burns present the Royal & Derngate, Northampton Production of The Worst Witch which comes to The Lowry from Tue 26 – Sun 31 March.

This original story written for the stage by Emma Reeves features an all-female cast and is based on Jill Murphy’s classic series of novels ‘The Worst Witch.’ Directed by Theresa Heskins and designed by Simon Daw, with music by Luke Potter.

‘The Worst Witch’ is the story of an ordinary girl who finds herself in an extraordinary place: a school for witches. Accident-prone Mildred Hubble and her fellow pupils leave a trail of mayhem behind them as they find themselves at the centre of a battle that’s being fought for their future.

Featuring Jill Murphy’s much-loved characters, the production features original songs, music, magic and a dose of Mildred’s unique brand of utter pandemonium.

Playing the hapless Mildred Hubble is Danielle Bird, whose recent stage credits include ‘The Hypocrite’ (Royal Shakespeare Company/Hull Truck) and ‘Macbeth’ (Shakespeare’s Globe). Taking the roles of Agatha and Miss Cackle is UK Theatre Award-winning actor Polly Lister whose credits include ‘The Snow Queen’ (New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme) and ‘Great Expectations’ (Derby Theatre). Rachel Heaton (‘Passing,’ Bunker Theatre) plays Miss Hardbroom. Rebecca Killick (‘Pink Mist’ Bristol Old Vic) plays Maud, Rosie Abraham (‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong,’ West End and tour) plays Ethel, and Consuela Rolle (‘Remember, Remember’ The Other Palace) plays Enid. The cast is completed by Molly-Grace Cutler as Miss Bat/musician. Megan Leigh Mason as Miss Drill/musician, Emma Lau as Drusilla and Meg Forgan as Fenella/musician.

Jill Murphy’s ‘The Worst Witch’ stories have sold more than five million copies and been made into films and TV series by HBO, ITV and CBBC.

Jill Murphy says, “My first trip to the theatre aged four, opened up a magical world – so real to me, that I had to be restrained from climbing on stage to help the children in peril! My Mum was quite cross with me, but I never wanted the story to end and sang songs loudly all the way home on the bus. Imagine how proud I feel, all these years later, seeing my own Mildred Hubble on stage with all the characters from Miss Cackle’s Academy. I still feel thrilled to bits when I go to the theatre and ‘The Worst Witch’ is a magical production.”