The world premiere stage production of Michel Hazanavicius’ multi–Academy Award-winning film The Artist will begin its journey with a strictly limited run at Theatre Royal Plymouth from Saturday 11 May 2024 with public booking from Friday 9 June 2023. Casting to be announced.
The multi award-winning creative team for The Artist includes set and costume designs by Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts I & II, Red, Frozen), music by Tony Award winner Simon Hale (Girl From The North Country, Get Up Stand Up!), lighting by Zoe Spurr (Good, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World), sound by Tony and Olivier Award winner Simon Baker (Matilda The Musical, A Christmas Carol), video by Ash J Woodward (The 47th, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), puppetry by Maia Kirkman-Richards (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) and casting by Will Burton CDG. The Associate Director/Choreographer is Ebony Molina and the Musical Director is Chris Poon.
The Artist is a McOnie Company production produced by Theatre Royal Plymouth, The McOnie Company, Playful Productions, Bill Damaschke, Stephen and Nancy Gabriel and Underbelly.
In 1920s Hollywood the business of making dreams come true is in full swing.
Silent movie icon George Valentin has long been the darling of the silver screen when he falls for aspiring actress Peppy Miller.
But while her star is about to rise, his might soon flicker out: amidst all the glamour, laughter and romance, the silent movie industry is on the brink of a revolution.
With the Talkies on their way, George must either find his voice in a brave new world or lose everything he holds dear to a bygone era.
The Artist has mesmerised film audiences across the world for over a decade, winning five Academy Awards, seven BAFTAs and three Golden Globe Awards. Now the beguiling love story is reinvented for the stage in a dazzling celebration of silent cinema that blends cutting-edge theatre-making with iconic music of the period.
Drew McOnie, Artistic Director of The McOnie Company, said: “Creating the world premiere stage adaptation of The Artist marks not only the start of a new era in my life as a theatre maker but also an arrival moment for The McOnie Company. I have held its development close to my heart for many years having been mesmerised by the original film.
To be joined by such an extraordinary creative team is thrilling and I am so grateful to the team at Theatre Royal Plymouth for supporting our vision of this story and giving us a creative home to launch this special project. Having the support of Michel Hazanavicius, the mastermind behind the original film, is incredibly important to all of us and it’s an honour to bring this beloved story to the stage.
The Artist shows us that even within this noisy world we can find our voice if we listen with our hearts.”
