The Royal Exchange Theatre has announced the cast for the regional premiere of Fun Home, the Tony Award-winning musical with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron.
Directed by former Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom, the production forms part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary programme, titled A Homecoming, and runs from 3 July to 1 August 2026.
Based on Alison Bechdel’s acclaimed graphic novel, Fun Home marks its Northern debut and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the original book.
The musical follows cartoonist Alison Bechdel, played by Jodie McNee, as she looks back on her childhood growing up in a funeral home, her sexual awakening at college, and her complex relationship with her father.
Alison’s father Bruce Bechdel is played by Olivier Award-winning actor Nigel Harman, whose stage and screen credits include Shrek, Guys and Dolls, EastEnders and Downton Abbey.
Returning to the Royal Exchange following appearances in Nora: A Doll’s House, The Night Watch and A Taste of Honey, Jodie McNee takes on the central role of Alison Bechdel.
Alice Audrey O’Hanlon stars as Medium Alison, while the role of Small Alison is shared across the run by Lillie Babb, Felicity L.J. Moore and Harriet O’Shea.
Natasha Cottriall returns to the theatre following her appearance in Into the Woods as Joan, with Alex Young joining the cast as Helen Bechdel and Lucca Chadwick-Patel appearing as Roy, Bobby, Mark and Pete.
Reggie Kempson, Finley Litchfield and Reuben Shepherd share the role of John across alternate performances, while Arthur Lyons, Morris McKinley and Theo Wake alternate in the role of Christian.
The cast is completed by Jennifer Caldwell as offstage cover for Alison, Medium Alison, Helen and Joan, and Alfie Richards as offstage cover for Bruce and Roy, Bobby, Pete and Mark.
The creative team includes choreographer and intimacy director Jenni Jackson, music supervisor Matthew Malone, designer Peter Butler, lighting designer Bethany Gupwell, sound designer Tony Gayle, associate director Emma Baggott and casting director Natalie Gallacher CDG.
Fun Home is described as an exhilarating and heartbreaking musical exploring coming out and coming of age, told through a combination of soaring songs, queer joy and queer tragedy, staged in the Royal Exchange’s iconic theatre-in-the-round.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
