The Witches (or Roald Dahl's The Witches) is a stage musical with book and lyrics by Lucy Kirkwood and music and lyrics by Dave Malloy, based on Roald Dahl's 1983 children's novel of the same name.

Roald Dahl's The Witches
Poster for the original production
MusicDave Malloy
LyricsDave Malloy
Lucy Kirkwood
BookLucy Kirkwood
BasisThe Witches
by Roald Dahl
Premiere7 November 2023 (2023-11-07): Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London
Productions2023 London

Production history

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World premiere: London (2023-24)

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The musical had its world premiere in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London as a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company on 21 November 2023 (following previews from 7 November), running until 27 January 2024. The production will be directed by Lyndsey Turner and choreographed by Stephen Mear.[1][2][3]

Full casting was announced on 4 September 2023 including Katherine Kingsley as the Grand High Witch, Daniel Rigby as Mr. Stringer and Sally Ann Triplett as Gran.[4]

Premise

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A boy and his grandmother live in a world run by witches, and The Grand High Witch is planning to turn the world's children into mice.[2]

Musical numbers

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Cast and characters

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Character London[5]
2023
Grand High Witch Katherine Kingsley
Gran Sally Ann Triplett
Mr Stringer Daniel Rigby
Luke Bertie Caplan
Frankie Keita
Vishal Soni
Bruno Cian Eagle-Service
George Menezes Cutts
William Skinner
Helga Jersey Blu Georgia
Asanda Abbie Masike
Chloe Raphael
Helen / Social Worker Julie Armstrong
Melanie / Ensemble Chrissie Bhima
Pippa Zoe Birkett
Leticia / Potwasher Maddison Bulleyment
Carol / Denise Miracle Chance
Alison Daniele Coombe
Dad / Sous Chef Richard David-Caine
Pamela Molly-May Gardiner
Kathy Tiffany Graves
Head Waiter Adrian Grove
Chef Chevalier / Doctor Irvine Iqbal
Swing Emily Langham
Emily Bobbie Little
Bernice / Nurse Tania Mathurin
Shelia Amira Matthews
Kevin / Commis Chef Jacob Maynard
Winnie / Mum Laura Medforth
Mr Jenkins Ekow Quartey
Chloe's Dad / Potager Ben Redfern
Mrs Jenkins / Jan Maggie Service
Cheryl Alexandra Waite-Roberts
Young Company Nesim Adnan, Alaia Broadbent, Chenai Broadbent,
Cristian Buttaci, Sekhani Dumezweni, Rudy Gibson,
Florence Gore, Elara Jagger, Annabelle Jones,
Jemima Loosen, Charlie Man-Evans, Iesa Miller,
Jack Philpott, Sienna Sibley, Savannah Skinner-Henry,
Poppy-Mei Soon, Benjamin Spalding, Dylan Trigger,
Alice Valeriano, Sasha Watson-Lobo, Stella Yeoman

Production team

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London (2023)[6]
Director Lyndsey Turner
Set and Costume Lizzie Clachlan
Choreographer Stephen Mear
Music Supervisor Nigel Lilley
Music Director Cat Beveridge
Lighting Designer Bruno Poet
Co-Sound Designer Alexander Caplen
Co-Sound Designer Ian Dickinson
Video Designer Ash J Woodward
Illusions Chris Fisher

Will Houston

Casting Director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor

Critical reception

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Reviews were positive, the New York Times calling it a "deftly rendered production, a high-quality piece of family entertainment that skilfully blends the playful and the macabre, and does justice to the author’s distinct comic style.".[7] The Independent[8] and Time Out London both gave it 5 stars, Time Out calling it "a hysterically funny triumph".[9] Broadway World also gave it 5 stars, saying it "combines exuberant fun, quick-witted comedy and a positive attitude towards death to produce an enthralling, clever and incredibly funny production.".[10]

References

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  1. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (2023-04-19). "Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' To Cast A Song-And-Dance Spell At London's National". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  2. ^ a b "Katherine Kingsley to star in 'The Witches'". London Theatre. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  3. ^ Wild, Stephi. "National Theatre Will Present Roald Dahl's THE WITCHES From Dave Malloy and More". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  4. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2023-09-04). "Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' London Stage Musical Unveils Full Cast". Variety Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  5. ^ "Roald Dahl's The Witches new musical to be staged at the National Theatre". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  6. ^ "The Witches". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ^ "Review: In 'The Witches' Musical, the Playful and the Macabre". The New York Times. November 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "The Witches review: This essential Roald Dahl musical warms your heart and chills your bones all at once". The Independent. November 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "Review". Time Out London. November 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "Review". Broadwayworld.com. November 22, 2023.