With Nuffield Southampton Theatres’ production of Fantastic Mr Fox about to start its tour at Lyric Hammersmith, Director Sam Hodges today announces casting for the forthcoming production of John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Grapes of Wrath, adapted by Frank Galati.
The American dust bowl. The height of the Great Depression. One family begins an epic journey, driven as much by fear as by hope. Route 66 to California, the Promised Land. In search of work. A new life.
NST Associate Abbey Wright directs a cast including Ben Bland (Connie), Daniel Booroff (Noah), Brendan Charleson (Casy), Charlie Folorunsho (Pa), Shiv Jalota (Al), Jim Kitson (Uncle John), Pamela Merrick (Granma/Elizabeth Sandry), Amy Molloy (Rose of Sharon), Harry Napier (as cast), Alexander Newland (Muley, Narrator, Vocalist), Heronimo Sehmi (Grampa), André Squire (Tom Joad) and Julia Swift (Ma), alongside a 50-strong community company made of up local residents in each tour venue.
The Grapes of Wrath, a co-production with Nottingham Playhouse, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and West Yorkshire Playhouse opens in Southampton on 14 March, before touring to each of the co-producing venues. Running in tandem with the show at each venue are a series of initiatives in support of refugees, asylum seekers and migrant communities, including free ticket schemes and workshops to overcome language barriers.
