Cast announced for Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic
Casting has been announced for Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic.
Award-winning writer Ross Willis joins forces with Olivier Award-winning director Sally Cookson for Wonder Boy, exploring one boy’s search for his own voice and identity.
The cast will star Raphel Famotibe as Sonny. Raphel was seen in the acclaimed BAFTA-winning films Rocks and Damilola, Our Loved Boy, and was lead in the BAFTA-nominated short Wale. This is his professional stage debut.
He is joined by Juliet Agnes as best friend Roshi who was recently lead in the Channel 4 BAFTA-nominated BBW; Internationally acclaimed actor Amanda Lawrence who plays Sonny’s teacher, Wainwright; Deaf visual theatre creator Ramesh Meyyappan who plays Sonny’s fantasy hero, Captain Chatter; and star of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical in the West End, Jenny Fitzpatrick as Mum/Fish.
The cast will be accompanied on stage by musicians Benji and Will Bower.
Wonder Boy runs 5 – 26 March 2022. Tickets are on sale now from bristololdvic.org.uk
Director Cookson said: “I saw the workshop production of Wonder Boy and was blown away by the writing. I’ve never seen a piece of writing like that before. Ross is a unique writer with a completely individual voice. It felt so important to tell this story at Bristol Old Vic”.”
The creative team features composer Benji Bower, designer Katie Sykes and Lighting Designer Aideen Malone, with integrated captioning designed by Tom Newell of Limbic Cinema.
The team is completed by Movement Director Laila Diallo, Assistant Director Max Sutherland, Sound Designer Jon Everett, Speech and Language Therapists Deborah Mason and Anna Prince, Deaf Consultant David Ellington, Casting Director Jessica Straker and Costume Supervisor Sophia Khan.
The production is also complemented by a series of workshops and engagement projects around identity, belonging and being heard.
Cookson explained: “We’ve talked a lot about community over the last few years in the theatre industry. This is the important thing about theatre; making connections, communicating and sharing ideas.
“Working hand-in-hand with Bristol Old Vic’s Engagement department – the beating heart of the theatre – means we can make this production accessible to people who communicate in a variety of different ways, while also making sure the next generation of writers and directors in Bristol feel connected to the production at a deeper level than ever before.”
