The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich has announced the full cast and creative team for their upcoming new production of Dennis Kelly’s acclaimed play DNA, which will run at the venue from 2-9 February 2023.
The modern-day comedy with bite, which was first performed in the Cottesloe Theatre of the National Theatre, will be directed by the theatre’s Chief Executive/Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul and, after an extensive call-out and audition process aimed at performers living in Suffolk and East Anglia, will showcase a predominantly local cast that includes the professional debuts of four rising local performers. The production marks the beginning of a new phase of talent development for New Wolsey Theatre.
A group of teenagers do something bad, something they can’t undo. Panicking, they concoct an elaborate cover-up, unleashing a series of events that twist and turn their young lives into a terrifying game of survival, putting not only their friendship, but their morality to the test.
The cast will consist of Ntabiso J Bhebhe (professional debut), Eireann Devlin (professional debut), Brayden Emmanuel (You & Me – ITV), Tom Houlton (Paranorman: Live Action Remake – Laika Studios/ Ridder Films), Shaun Jenkinson (The Kneebone Cadillac – Theatre Royal Plymouth), Jessica Laitt (Cinderella – Out Of The Box Productions), Gabriella Manning (professional debut), Mae Munuo (The Nutcracker – Bristol Old Vic), Charlie Shephard (professional debut) and Emily Tang (Claus the Musical – The Lowry). Ntabiso Bhebhe, Gabriella Manning, Mae Munuo and Charlie Shephard were all previously members of the New Wolsey’s Young Company.
Joining Rintoul on the creative and production team will be David Phillips as Lighting Designer and Production Manager, Kira Tisbury as Costume Supervisor, Peter Hazelwood as Technical Manager, Sally Jones as Company Stage Manager, Joseph Newport as Deputy Stage Manager and Jodie Hicks as Assistant Stage Manager.
Alongside the production the theatre will be running an extensive range of masterclasses and workshops with Rintoul and the cast that will support learning and help students, teachers and audience members gain an insight into the production and a deeper understanding of the text.
Douglas Rintoul said of today’s announcement, “DNA is a special project for the New Wolsey Theatre, it’s my first production as Chief Executive/Artistic Director, it’s a rare outing of this top-notch play from one of our greatest writers, but more importantly it celebrates the best of East Anglia’s emerging talent. If a regional theatre doesn’t support the growth of its local ecology then it will see the loss of more talent from the industry, now more than ever.”
Tickets are now on sale at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk. Teachers can request more information on school offerings as well as register interest via Rebecca Hall – rhall@wolseytheatre.co.uk – or by calling 01473 295930 or heading to the theatre’s website at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk.
