MEI Theatrical have announced casting for their brand-new stage adaptation of Twirlywoos– as seen on CBeebies – opening at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Tuesday 12 February before setting sail around the UK.
For the first time on a touring production, one role has been cast as a job-share between two actors, both of whom are parents with young children. Lizzie Wort and Ruth Calkin will each perform half the weekly schedule of performances throughout the tour, in order to support their needs as working mothers.
Actor-Puppeteer Ruth Calkin said: “When this job offer came through, I knew right away that I wanted to be able to accept. But the intensity of the tour would have been too punishing for us as a family. It never occurred to me that my tentative suggestion of a job share would even be considered, let alone that it would evolve in the way that it has. It took courage to push the issue but to be met with such support from the producers was incredible, and it has been amazingly empowering to know that we, not only as performers but also as mums with young children, have been able to negotiate with honesty and understanding the complex logistics necessary to make this happen. I really hope we will see the start of more new ways of working in theatre, to open up possibilities not just for performers with children but for all of us with commitments and responsibilities needing to run in tandem with professional life.”
Cassie Raine, co-founder of Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PIPA) added: “On-stage job sharing has the potential to revolutionise the way we approach touring and increase access for so many who may not consider touring as a viable option. We need to move towards a more people-centred culture, on and off stage, in order to increase business resilience and remain competitive. More and more we are seeing these innovative developments that mark an important shift towards more dynamic working practises. This will be invaluable as the sector is increasingly required to respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
The full cast bringing the colourful world of the animated series to life on stage will be actor-puppeteers Aya Nakamura (Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday, UK Tour), Daniel Harlock (Charlie and Lola, Polka Theatre), Lizzie Wort (Potted Sherlock, Vaudeville Theatre), Mark Esaias (In the Night Garden Live, UK Tour) and Ruth Calkin (Horrid Henry – Live and Horrid, Trafalgar Studios).
