The Highwayman, a fierce musical ride through love, larceny, and 17th-century debauchery, will gallop onto the Norwich Theatre Playhouse stage between 14 – 18 August for its musical premiere.
Produced by Norwich Theatre and OVO, the show will then head out on tour, visiting the Roman Theatre St Albans, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
The Highwayman is inspired by the classic poem by Alfred Noyes. Directed by OVO’s award winning Artistic Director, Adam Nichols, it takes audiences on a full-throttle musical gallop through the grimy underbelly of 1600s England, where love is as dangerous as a back-alley brawl.
Writer Kitty Morgan’s wildly entertaining, tragically romantic re-imagining of the classic tale features a cast of richly drawn restoration rogues and romantics – from a mysterious conquistador to a rip roaring East End landlady, and even special guest appearances from Nell Gwynn and King Charles II himself.
Kitty Morgan, book, music and lyrics said: “Two years ago, I set out to write a musical inspired by the beautiful Alfred Noyes poem, and infamous 16th century true-crime Highwayman Claude Duval, who I read about in the very London boozer from which he was arrested and marched to execution. The musical had its own ideas, however, and what has emerged is a fierce, contemporary, bittersweet, feminist rollercoaster ride.
“The Highwayman is set in 1666, but tackles issues that are sadly still universal and pertinent today, including women’s experiences navigating a male dominated world, growing up in a criminal underclass, and, as the locals sing “abuse, addiction, poverty and love.” A company of rogues and a live band whisk us along this wild ride of laughter, heartbreak and hope.”
Kevin Wathen (Skellig, Young Vic; Get Carter, Northern Stage) will take the titular role of Duval, The Highwayman, a dashing rogue and self-proclaimed sociopath, while Guido Garcia Lueches (The Jungle Book, Watermill Theatre; It Happened in Key West, Charing Cross Theatre) will play his close friend and partner in crime, Thomas French. Josselyn Ryder (FAME The Musical; A Letter To Harvey Milk, Offie Nominated Lead Performance Waterloo East) will play The Highwayman’s love interest, Bess.
James Dangerfield (Henry V, UK Tour; Brexit the Musical, Peterloo) will step into a royal role as King Charles II and Lyle Fulton (Mosquitoes, Chichester Festival Theatre) returns to the UK’s oldest producing theatre as Davy Pixley. Faith Turner (Much Ado About Nothing, Minack Theatre, Cornwall), will star as Jem. Emily Law (Honk!, UK Tour) undertakes the iconic role of Nell Gwynn, and Melissa O’Donnell (Soprano soloist at Royal Albert Hall, Star Wars:The Phantom Menace) will be pitch perfect as Rose. The daughter of The Highwayman, Peggy, will be played by Natasha Spencer-Levy (Dr Zhivago in Concert, Cadogan Hall).
Adam Morris, Musical Director has arranged Kitty Morgan’s original tracks, including ‘The Devil Came Down’, ‘Welcome to the hole in the wall’, and the eponymous ‘The Highwayman’.
Wendy Ellis, Producer and Director of Creative Programmes and Audiences for Norwich Theatre comments: “Norwich has a reputation for taking a risk on the new and being the place to see the next big thing, and the Highwayman is no different, it is certainly one to watch. The music had us hooked from the moment we first heard it, and we knew that this would be a show that audiences would love. It is dark, funny, and full of heart – perfect entertainment.
“Working on the development and creation of a new project and getting to share that with audiences is a deeply rewarding process. We are thrilled to be partnering with OVO to bring the Highwayman to life, filthy, crime-ridden underbelly and all.”
Founder and Artistic Director for OVO Adam Nichols added:“From the moment Kitty first played me the opening chords of The Highwayman theme, I fell in love with this extraordinary musical, and knew I had to direct it. Being part of the show’s development over the past 18 months has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my theatre career, and I can’t wait to share this beautiful, funny, gut wrenching musical with the world in 2024.”
Produced by Norwich Theatre and OVO, The Highwayman will entertain audiences with a tub-thumping pub singalong in which a live band reimagines tavern tunes and folk ballads in contemporary arrangements, painting the picture of this devastating love story in and amongst the crime ridden filth.
Grab your tankard and come along for the ride of your life!
