Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, will play 31 July – 25 September at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
Joining the already announced Carly Bawden (Julie Jordan), Declan Bennett (Billy Bigelow), John Pfumojena (Enoch Snow), Joanna Riding (Nettie Fowler) and Natasha May Thomas (Louise Bigelow) are Brendan Charleson (Mr Bascombe), Jo Eaton-Kent (Mrs Mullin), Sam Mackay (Jigger Craigin), Ediz Mahmut (Young Enoch) and Christina Modestou (Carrie Pipperidge).
The ensemble includes: Chanelle Anthony, Craig Armstrong, William Atkinson, Shay Barclay, Sarah Benbelaid, Madeline Charlemagne, Freya Field, Sebastian Goffin, Amie Hibbert, Tim Hodges, Lukas Hunt, Tessa Kadler, Lindsay McAllister, Matthew McKenna, Jack Mitchell, Charlotte Riby, Lisa Ritchie and Daisy West.
Carousel tells the story of two mill workers Julie and Carrie in the 1940’s. While at the Carousel one evening, Julie falls for barker Billy and forgoes her curfew to spend the night with him (knowing she will lose her job in the process). When Julie discovers she is pregnant, Billy turns to murder and robbery in order to support his unborn child but things do not go according to plan and he ends up at the gates of heaven. Billy is given the chance to go back and make things right with his now, teenage daughter.
The 2021 season, which will follow covid-secure procedures for as long as necessary – including an initial 50% reduction to seating capacity – also includes: Romeo and Juliet (17 June – 24 July) directed by Kimberley Sykes; a co-production with Unicorn Theatre of Anansi the Spider (7 – 24 July) directed by Justin Audibert for ages 3-7; and Dragons and Mythical Beasts directed by Derek Bond and Laura Cubitt for ages 3+ (13 August – 5 September).
