CAST ANNOUNCED FOR NEW VIC’S WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF ARNOLD BENNETT’S COMEDY THRILLER THE GRAND BABYLON HOTEL

6th August 2025

Full casting has been confirmed for the New Vic’s world premiere production of The Grand Babylon Hotel, written by one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most famous sons Arnold Bennett. Produced by the New Vic in association with Claybody Theatre and opening on the New Vic’s in-the-round stage from Saturday 13 September until Saturday 4 October, the adaptation of Bennett’s story will feature a cast of five actors playing multiple roles and forms part of Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebrations, marking the 100^th anniversary of the city’s official status.

Directed by UK Theatre Award Best Director nominee Conrad Nelson (One Man Two Guvnors, The Card, New Vic; Bright Lights Over Bentilee, The Dipping House), the cast includes faces familiar and new to the Basford-based theatre. New Vic favourite Michael Hugo (A Matter of Life and Death, One Man Two Guvnors, Marvellous (and at @SohoPlace), Tom, Dick & Harry (and at Alexandra Palace),New Vic) returns to the theatre to play Jules (AKA Tom Jackson), Detective Marshall, and Prince Eugen of Posen. Shelley Atkinson (The Wicked Lady, New Vic; Martha, Josie and The Chinese Elvis, Stephen Joseph Theatre, New Vic) also returns to the New Vic to play Miss Spencer (AKA Baroness Zerlinski) and Nanny Heidi and Thomas Cotran, who audiences will remember from One Man Two Guvnors on the theatre’s stage last year (also Love Labour’s Lost, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Shakespeare North Playhouse) will play Reginald Dimmock, Prince Aribert of Posen and Rocco (AKA Eli Stone). Adrian Pang (Salesman in China, Avon Theatre; People, Places & Things, Pangdemonium Theatre Company; Hamlet, Macbeth, Singapore Repertory Theatre) joins the company to play Theodore Racksole alongside Alice Pryor (Bleached, Talking Bird Productions; Inferna, Riverside Studios; Much Ado About Nothing, The Constellation Players) who will play Nella Racksole.

Adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Deborah McAndrew, this production of The Grand Babylon Hotel marks the first ever stage production of Arnold Bennett’s novel and will blend satire, espionage and comedy to tell the story of Nella Racksole, whose wealthy American father buys an entire hotel to satisfy his daughter’s birthday wishes, only to rapidly regret his investment when it becomes consumed in secrecy, lies and deceit. The riotous comedy follows on from the New Vic’s previous successful productions of Bennett’s work, The Card (2023) and Anna of The Five Towns (2017).

Director Conrad Nelson said:

“First serialised in 1901 Arnold Bennett’s The Grand Babylon Hotel was noted as being, ‘excellent in mingling farce with characterisation’. Three films were made in the first part of the 20th century but with a review like that you know that it’s a novel made for the theatre.

Bennett may have longed for critical recognition of a first ‘serious’ novel but he knew the value of work with broad appeal and a plot based on a steak, a bottle of Bass and a self-made American Millionaire. I’m thrilled to bring this unashamedly popular work to the stage – it’s a fun, fast-paced caper and a good night out.”  

The Grand Babylon Hotel is on stage at the New Vic from Saturday 13 September until Sat 4 October. Tickets are on sale now online at newvictheatre.org.uk or from the New Vic Box Office on 01782 717962. To find out more about Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebrations, visit sot100.org.uk

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