Cast announced for premiere of new musical Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror

Casting has been announced for new musical Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror which premieres at Bristol Old Vic this spring.

The show comes from inclusive theatre group Extraordinary Bodies, co-producing with Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Plymouth to create their most ambitious production to date.

The brand new musical will run in Bristol from 14 March – 1 April 2023 before visiting The Lowry Salford Quays (20 – 22 April), Theatre Royal Plymouth (26 – 29 April), MAST Mayflower Studios Southampton (4 – 6 May), Lighthouse Poole (20 May) and Brighton Dome (7 June).

Set in 1933 Brandenburg, the Nazis are burning books and suspending civil rights. Many are desperate to escape, but for Waldo and his travelling circus of outcasts, acrobats and aerialists, ‘the show must go on’.

The cast includes a bold and diverse company of actors, musicians and aerialists to bring this daring tale of humanity, courage and defiance to the stage in Extraordinary Bodies inimitable style.

The cast will feature award-winning Disabled writer, actor and director Garry Robson as Waldo the Ringmaster with Abbie Purvis as Krista, Mirabelle Gremaud as Dr Margot Hoche and Queenie, Raphaella Julien and Brooklyn Melvin as the clowns Mish and Mosh respectively, Jack Reitman as Joseph Benowitz, JoAnne Haines as Dora, Tilly Lee-Kronick as Peter Günter, Jonny Leitch as Renèe and Ryan Murphy as Darragh Finnegan.

The company is completed by musicians Dave Johnzy (also Associate Music Director for Waldo’s Circus) and Harriet Riley.

Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror is based on an original idea by Hattie Naylor (Ivan and the Dogs, The Night Watch) and co-written by Hattie Naylor and Jamie Beddard (Messiah, The Elephant Man) with an original score by Charles Hazlewood (Paraorchestra). It is co-directed by Claire Hodgson (Diverse City) and Billy Alwen (Cirque Bijou) and they are joined by set and costume designer Ti Green, lighting designer Katy Morison, sound designer Andy Rose, choreographer Vicki Igbokwe (Uchenna Dance), with associate director Jenny Davies and associate music director Dave Johnzy.

For more information and tickets, visit extraordinarybodies.org.uk