Sherlock star Amanda Abbington and Sunset Boulevard leading man Danny Mac are the first stars to be announced for the UK premiere of the musical A Little Princess by Tony-nominated composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (Big Fish,The Addams Family, The Wild Party).
Amanda Abbington, best known for playing Mary Morstan, the wife of John Watson, in the BBC’s global hit Sherlock (for which she was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Television Award, for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries) and series regular Miss Mardle in Mr Selfridge, will play Miss Minchin in her musical theatre debut.
Danny Mac, currently starring in his award-winning leading man role as Joe Gillis on the no.1 UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, acclaimed for his starring role in On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and a much-loved finalist on last year’s Strictly Come Dancing (critics and bookies favourite, he broke Strictly records with his perfect Samba), will play Captain Crewe.
Multi Olivier Award-winner and Tony Award nominee Arlene Phillips CBE is directing the one-off semi-staged concert performance, which also features the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Thousands of youngsters have been auditioned for 10 child star roles.
With book and lyrics by by Brian Crawley (Violet), it is based upon Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic childhood novel. It tells the story of Sara Crewe, as she is sent from her home in Africa to boarding school in London and separated from her father. As young Sara’s world is turned upside down, she must rely on her friends and imaginative powers to overcome her strict headmistress Miss Minchin and prove that every little girl deserves to be a princess.
A Little Princess will receive its UK premiere at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on Bank Holiday, Monday 28 May at 7.30pm.
