Curtain is raised on eagerly-awaited new musical Identical
Identical, a brand new musical based on the novel ‘The Parent Trap’ by Erich Kästner, has opened in Nottingham to rave reviews ahead of its visit to The Lowry, Salford, later this month.
‘First Look’ images have been released that capture the magic and fun of the production, based on the book that inspired the hugely successful Disney films featuring Hayley Mills in 1961 and Lindsay Lohan in 1998.
Destined for the West End, Identical comes to The Lowry from Friday 19th August to Saturday 3rd September.
Identical, directed by Olivier and Tony award-winning Trevor Nunn (Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Cats and Sunset Boulevard), tells the story of Lottie and Lisa, twin girls separated at birth, reunited by chance at a summer camp 10 years later. In an attempt to get to know their other parent, they decide to swap identities.
Three sets of identical twins, share the central roles of Lottie and Lisa. Kyla and Nicole Fox, aged 12, from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, Emme and Eden Patrick, 12 from Waltham Abbey and Sienna and Savannah Robinson, 12 from Bromley, were cast following a five-year casting search and multiple auditions across the UK.
Joining them on stage will be Emily Tierney (Glinda in Wicked, Molly in Ghost), James Darch (Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, Sky in Mamma Mia!), Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson (Fastrada, Pippin), Louise Gold (Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, Mazeppa in Gypsy), Michael Smith-Stewart (The Lion King, Rent).
The ensemble features Rico Bakker (Hairspray), David Bardsley (Billy Elliot), Hannah Cauchi (Top Hat), Paige Fenlon (Pretty Woman), Rosie Glossop (Kinky Boots), Dominic Adam Griffin (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella), Jordan Isaac (Mary Poppins), Rutendo Mushonga (The Lion King), Ellie Nunn (‘Honk!’).
Playing the other children are Winter Jarrett Glasspool, Daisy Jeffcoate, Isabelle Larrey, Saffia Layla, Parrine Long, Helena Middleton, Kirsten Muzvuru and Poppy Pawson.
The show also introduces two new dog stars, Cairn Terrier Ness, and West Highland Terrier Louby, who will share the role of Pepi.Identical has Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, (the multi award-winning writers of the Olivier award-winning National Theatre hit Honk!, who also created a new score for the international smash-hit Cameron Mackintosh/Disney production of Mary Poppins) with a Book by Stuart Paterson, whose drama Prisoner C33 about Oscar Wilde (Toby Stephens) in Reading Gaol, directed by Trevor Nunn, premiered earlier this month on BBC4.
Creative team: Director Trevor Nunn, Choreographer Matt Cole, Set Design Rob Jones, Costume Design Jonathan Lipman, Video Design Douglas O’Connell, Lighting Design Johanna Town, Sound Design Paul Gatehouse, Musical Supervisor Caroline Humphris, Musical Director Tamara Saringer, Orchestrator Tom Curran, Associate Director (with special responsibility for the children) Martha Geelan, Associate Choreographer Jane McMurtrie, Casting Director Anne Vosser, Children’s Casting and Administration Jo Hawes, Wig and Hair Designer Richard Mawbey, Production Manager Digby Robinson, General Management & Marketing Kenny Wax Ltd.
IDENTICAL is produced by Kenny Wax Ltd, Gavin Kalin, Playing Field (Theatre) Limited, Kevin McCollum and Stewart F. Lane Bonnie Comley. It is co-produced with Nottingham Playhouse.
The Telegraph 5*s ‘Identity swap musical is ingenious to the point of genius’
Box Office Radio 5*s ‘Children will love this show’
The Guardian 4*s ‘deeply moving’
What’s on Stage 4*s ‘charm, sincerity, humour, plenty of catchy songs’
Broadway World 4*s ‘sparkling performances, especially from the twins, will charm audiences of all ages’