Two major West End productions have announced cast changes over the last few days.
I'm delighted to hear Jamie Glover will be taking over the lead role at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
I acted alongside Jamie Glover in a TV series at the beginning of his career. He is extremely intelligent and a performer of great integrity, wit and style. It’s been a pleasure to watch as his career blossomed and I loved seeing him take the lead in the Old Vic’s production of the farce Noises Off. It was the perfect vehicle for his quick wit and pin point precision as an actor.
Of course it didn’t hurt his career that he is the son of two famous leading actors Julian Glover and Isla Blair. But as well as opening doors his acting background enabled him to be a knowledgeable and adaptable performer who has even tried his hand at directing and in 2008 he successfully made his directorial debut with a production of Measure for Measure for the Ambassador's Theatre Group. I'm sure he’ll take H.P to a whole new level and be a pleasure to work with.
Today’s press release also tells us Emma Lowndes joins the cast as his wife Ginny Potter and Theo Ancient as their son Albus Potter. Thomas Aldridge will play Ron Weasley with Rakie Ayola as Hermione Granger and Helen Aluko as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Playing Draco Malfoy will be James Howard with Samuel Blenkin as his son Scorpius Malfoy. They are joined by new cast members David Annen, Ruthxjiah Bellenea, Danny Dalton, Leah Haile, Rupert Henderson, Elizabeth Hill, April Hughes, James McGregor, Sarah Miele, Jordan Paris, James Phoon, Henry Rundle, Ged Simmons, Mark Theodore, Gideon Turner and Ed White. Original cast members Nicola Alexis, Rosemary Annabella, Phoebe Austen, Annabel Baldwin, Jabez Cheeseman, Morag Cross, Esme Grace, Lowri James, Martin Johnston, Alfred Jones, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Tom Mackley, Harrison Noble, Ben Roberts, Nuno Silva, Hope Sizer and Joshua Wyatt complete the 42-strong company playing a variety of characters, including seven children who will alternate two roles.
Over at Aladdin too there are major cast changes as the new musical based on the classic Academy Award®-winning animated film approaches its first birthday in the West End.
Fans of the production will be delighted to hear Jade Ewen will continue in the role of Jasmine and Trevor Dion Nicholas, who made his London stage debut as Genie, remains in the role alongside other remaining cast members Don Gallagher and Irvine Iqbal who will continue as Jafar and the Sultan, whilst current cast members Miles Barrow, Leon Craig and Daniel de Bourg have been promoted ito the roles of Omar, Babkak and Kassim.
Arran Anzani-Jones, Albey Brookes, Lauren Chia, Bianca Cordice, Cavin Cornwall, Melanie Elizabeth, Kade Ferraiolo, Antony Hewitt, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Ian Oswald, Kyle Seeley, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Ricardo Spriggs, Kayleigh Thadani and Jermaine Woods also stay.
Newcomers include Matthew Croke who takes over the role of Aladdin from 5 June 2017 and Nick Cavaliere will join the company to play the role of Iago. New ensemble members include Chanelle Anthony, Danny Becker, Cindy Belliot, Filippo Coffano, Nolan Edwards, Sinead Kenny, Travis Kerry, Dann Kharsa, Tarisha Rommick, Joshua Steel, Monica Swayne and Niko Wirachman.
It’s great when theatre folk achieve unlikely success through sheer hard work and talent. Of course those two qualities alone are no guarantee of success in an overcrowded market but add a dash of good luck and you could be the next Mischief Theatre.