A ripping revival of Denise Deegan’s Olivier Award-winning, festive heart-warmer Daisy Pulls It Off is set to wrap up Park Theatre’s 2017 season. This affectionate parody of 1920s boarding schoolgirl novels, directed by Paulette Randall MBE, will feature a truly diverse ensemble cast.
Starring Anna Shaffer (Harry Potter film series, Hollyoaks), Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless), Shobna Gulati (Dinnerladies, Coronation Street) and Clare Perkins (EastEnders, Family Affairs).
Paulette Randall says: “We knew straightaway that we were never going to cast an actual bunch of 12-year-old schoolgirls to portray the play’s army of smart, brave and hilarious characters. So why even try with a bunch of sort-of lookalikes? Instead, we’ve thrown the rulebook out the window, casting a brilliant bunch of talented and diverse actors who, gloriously, tick none of the boxes. Not being bound by age and race has been such a freeing experience, and the results are hugely exciting. Our only criteria were: Are they smart? Are they brave? And – most importantly – are they hilarious? It’s all about creating a modern Daisy for a modern London crowd.”
Daisy Meredith, the energetic new girl from an underprivileged background, is the first scholarship student to attend Grangewood School for Girls. Faced with prejudice and pranks from the wealthier schoolgirls, Daisy also discovers her new school is faced with financial closure. Having won over a zany group of chums, Daisy concocts a wizard plan to save the school with the discovery of a secret treasure.
Daisy Pulls It Off won the 1983 Olivier Award for Best Comedy and ran for 3 years, launching the careers of actresses like Samantha Bond and Gabrielle Glaister.
Daisy Pulls It Off is at The Park Theatre Tuesday 5th December 2017 – Saturday 13th January 2018.
