Audience members will be invited on stage to share an Irish tradition at the end of Fanny, Calum Finlay’s riotous comedy coming to London’s King’s Head Theatre this October.
Directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, the show is now in rehearsals with a cast comprising Charlie Russell as Fanny, Daniel Abbott as Felix, Kim Ismay as Lea and Jeremy Lloyd as Paul. Danielle Philips is Rebecka and Riad Richie is Wilhelm.
Meet Fanny Mendelssohn. You’ll probably know her younger brother Felix, from nineteenth-century smash hits like ‘The Wedding March’. Felix was such a musical sensation that Queen Victoria requested a personal concert and even sung her favourite of his compositions: ‘Italien’. The only problem was Felix didn’t write it. The piece of music was Fanny’s, quietly published under her brother’s name.
So – when Fanny intercepts a letter inviting Felix to go back to England and premiere a new orchestral work for the Queen, Fanny decides to hide the letter and take her rightful place at the palace…!
As with its premiere at Newbury’s The Watermill, the King’s Head production will conclude each performance with a Noble Call – inspired by the Irish tradition of inviting guests at a party to share a song, a poem or to respond to the moment. Female-identifying musicians of all levels, backgrounds and styles are invited to sign-up to play a piece of music at the end of the show each night to continue the work of all the incredible women musicians before them. Audience members interested in taking part can sign up here.
The production has music by Yshani Perinpanayagam, set and costumes by Sophia Pardon and lighting design by David Howe. Harry Blumenau is casting director and Phao Wheatley is movement director. The creative team also includes Emily Nelson as associate set & costume designer and Charlie Russell as creative associate.
The production team is led by Charlie Rayner as production manager, Alice Cavanagh as company stage manager, with Jasmine Dittman and Molly Tackaberry as assistant stage managers. Fanny is produced by RJG Productions in association with the Watermill Theatre.
Fanny plays King’s Head Theatre from Friday, October 10 to Saturday, November 15. Tickets here.
Top image: Fanny Rehearsal – (L-R) Jeremy Lloyd, Charlie Russell, Riad Richie – credit Niall Ransome (image supplied)