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The Magician's Elephant (musical)

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The Magician's Elephant
Production poster
MusicMarc Teitler
Lyrics
  • Nancy Harris
  • Marc Teitler
BookNancy Harris
BasisThe Magician's Elephant
by Kate DiCamillo
Premiere18 October 2021:
Royal Shakespeare Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon
Productions

The Magician's Elephant is a musical with book and lyrics by Nancy Harris and music and lyrics by Marc Teitler, based on the 2009 children's novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo.

Production history

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Stratford-upon-Avon (2021)

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The musical was announced to make its world premiere as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's winter 2020 season, running in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the production was postponed to run over the 2021 winter season running from 18 October 2021 to 1 January 2022.[1]

The production is directed by Sarah Tipple, designed by Colin Richmond with lighting design by Oliver Fenwick.[2][3]

On 9 July 2021, initial casting was announced and a recording of a song from the show "If This Is True" was released on YouTube, followed by another song "A Lot Like Me" released on 26 July 2021.[4][5]

Sandy, Utah (2024)

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The musical made its United States premiere at Hale Center Theatre in Sandy, Utah during their 2024 season, running from September 16 to October 19 2024. The production was directed by Dave Tinney with scenic design by Jenn Taylor and puppetry design, fabrication and direction by AchesonWalsh Studios, lighting design by Jaron Kent Hermansen.[6]

Cast and characters

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Character Stratford-upon-Avon (2021)
Narrator Amy Booth-Steel
Peter Duchene Jack Wolfe
Vilna Lutz Mark Meadows
Adele Miriam Nyarko
Leo Matienne Marc Antolin
Gloria Matienne Melissa James
Countess Quintet Summer Strallen
Count Quintet Sam Harrison
Madame LaVaughn Renu Arora
The Magician Alastair Parker
The Elephant Zoe Halliday
Wela Mbusi
Suzanne Nixon
Police Chief Forbes Masson
Milliner / Dance Teacher / Police Officer Sharif Afifi
Baker / Police Officer Alison Arnopp
Young Police Officer / Lamplighter Chrystine Symone
Sister Marie Mandi Symonds
Lisette Lauren Jones
Mrs Griswald Wendy Somerville
Fishmonger Lucca Chadwick-Patel
Doctor Stephen John Davis
Peter's Mum / Swing Hannah Brown
Peter's Dad / Swing Michael Carolan
Swing Rianna Ash
Swing Matt Bateman

Reception

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The Stratford-upon-Avon production received positive reviews from the critics and audiences receiving mostly four star reviews.[7][8][9]

References

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  1. ^ Sutherl, Gill (2 June 2020). "RSC confirms it is closed until at least October". Stratford Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. ^ McPhee, Ryan (4 February 2020). "Royal Shakespeare Company to Present The Magician's Elephant Musical and The Wars of the Roses". Playbill. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. ^ Snow, Georgia (4 February 2020). "Royal Shakespeare Company to stage new family musical and The Wars of the Roses in 2020". The Stage. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. ^ "RSC's The Magician's Elephant musical announces initial casting | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  5. ^ If This Is True | The Magician's Elephant, retrieved 9 July 2021
  6. ^ "Hale Center Theatre The Magician's Elephant Show Program |HaleCenterTheatre". hct.org. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  7. ^ Davis, Clive. "The Magician's Elephant review — a family spectacle filled with magic". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (29 October 2021). "The Magician's Elephant, review: the RSC's back with a spectacular fantasy". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  9. ^ "The Magician's Elephant review – the RSC conjures up a musical spectacle | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.