New musical Identical based on The Parent Trap to premiere at Nottingham Playhouse

New musical Identical will hold its world premiere at the Nottingham Playhouse in 2020.

The show is based on Erich Kästner’s novel The Parent Trap which inspired the hit Disney films of the same name.

The new musical has been adapted by Stuart Paterson with music and lyrics from George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Trevor Nunn will direct the production which will run at Nottingham Playhouse from July 31 2020 before transferring to Theatre Royal Bath in September.

The musical tells the story of twin girls who were separated at birth when their parents divorced. After a chance reunion, they hatch a plan for each to meet the parent they have never met by exchanging identities.

Producer Kenny Wax said: “It’s a wildly ambitious project which will stand or fall on whether we can cast identical twins who the audience cannot tell apart.

“Without that, there will be no show. So our challenge over the next nine months is to scour the country and leave no stone unturned until we find our Lottie and Lisa.”

Stiles and Drewe added: “It’s been a delight to adapt Erich Kästner’s hauntingly beautiful and timeless tale of two identical twins separated as babies, and their wily determination to stitch their family back together.

“It’s a story packed with wonderful humour and characters which makes it a great canvas to become a musical and retell for a 21st-century audience.”

Nottingham Playhouse’s Executive Director Stephanie Sirr commented: “We can’t wait to create this show. It’s particularly exciting to give kids from our community the chance to work alongside world class professionals and to take part in the premiere of a newly commissioned musical.”