Fisherman’s Friends musical cast confirmed ahead of world premiere

Casting for new musical based on The Fisherman’s Friends has been announced.

Fisherman’s Friends musical is based on the true story of the Cornish singing sensations, and the hit 2019 film of the same name.

The piece will hold its world premiere at Hall for Cornwall in Truro for a limited season between 13 and 30 October 2021.

Fisherman’s Friends musical cast

Calum Callaghan (Mr Selfridge) plays Danny, Deka Walmsley (Billy Elliot, Macbeth) plays Jim, Robert Duncan (Drop the Dead Donkey) plays Jago, Mensah Bediako (Master Harold and the Boys) plays Leadville, Dan Buckley (The Book of Mormon) plays Rowan, Rakesh Boury (Rock of Ages) plays Dinger, Matt Slack (Blood Brothers) plays Wiggie, Hadrian Delacey (The Phantom of the Opera) plays Archie and Edward Rowe (Bait) plays Ben.

They’re joined by Susie Blake (Mrs Brown’s Boys, Coronation Street) as pub landlady Maggie, Parisa Shahmir (The Last Ship) as Alwyn, Deborah Tracey (Standing At The Sky’s Edge) as record label manager Leah and Georgia Bruce (Malory Towers) as Sally.

The cast is completed by on-stage actor-musicians, James William-Pattison (Once), Annie Grace (Sting’s The Last Ship), John O’Mahony (This Restless House), Louise Beadel (Fame) and musicians Hazel Askew (BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee), Alfie Gidley (New Roots finalist) and Musical Director James Findlay (winner of the BBC Young Folk Award 2010).

A synopsis of the musical shares: “When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, they hoped to raise a few quid for charity. Nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected the story to end on the Pyramid stage of Glastonbury.

“Packed with sea shanties, Fisherman’s Friends is a feelgood voyage about friendship, community and music. Featuring hit shanties made famous by the band including Keep Haulin’, Nelson’s Blood, No Hopers Jokers & Rogues, Sweet Maid Of Madeira and many more.”

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical will be directed by James Grieve and written by Amanda Whittington. It features design by Lucy Osborne, musical supervision from David White, choreography by Matt Cole, sound design by Dan Samson, lighting design by Johanna Town and casting by Jim Arnold.

For updates on tickets visit fishermanonstage.com.

Picture: © Danny Kaan