First look: The Secret Life of Bees at Almeida Theatre in rehearsals
Go into the rehearsal room for the upcoming UK premiere of new musical The Secret Life of Bees at Almeida Theatre.
Based on the best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, the piece is adapted by Lynn Nottage (Sweat) with music by Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and lyrics from Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam).
The UK premiere production is directed by Whitney White (What to Send Up When it Goes Down) and will run from 4 April – 27 May 2023.
Making up the cast are Ava Brennan (June), Tarinn Callender (Neil), Eleanor Worthington-Cox (Lily), Madeline Charlemagne (Daughter of Mary/U/S August), Danielle Fiamanya (May), Eleanor House (U/S Lily), Rachel John (August), Daniel Krikler (Ensemble), Shekinah McFarlane (Daughter of Mary/U/S June), Mark Meadows (T Ray), , Richard James-Neale (Ensemble/U/S T Ray), Abiona Omonua (Rosaleen), Chrystine Symone (Daughter of Mary/U/S Rosaleen and May), Noah Thomas (Zachary) and Marcellus Whyte (U/S Neil and Zach).
1964, South Carolina. Rosaleen is fighting for her right to vote, and Lily is escaping her violent father. When this unlikely pair flee their small town, they seek salvation at a remote honeybee farm run by the remarkable Boatwright sisters. But will their past catch up with them?
The creative team is made up of choreographer Shelley Maxwell, set designer Soutra Gilmour, costume designer Qween Jean, lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Simon Baker, music supervisor and musical director Nigel Lilley, orchestrator John Clancy, vocal arranger Jason Hart, orchestral management David Gallagher, wigs, hair & makeup designer Cynthia De La Rosa, casting director Charlotte Sutton, costume supervisor Jackie Orton, assistant director Mumba Dodwell and associate choreographer Ebony Molina.
For more information and tickets, visit almeida.co.uk.
