This autumn the New Vic brings its most spectacular show ever back to the stage in celebration of the 850th anniversary of Newcastle-under-Lyme receiving its charter to become a borough.
Astley’s Astounding Adventures, at the New Vic from Saturday 23 September to Saturday 21 October, is the story of local town hero Philip Astley. Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, he became the international impresario that invented circus – the spectacular phenomenon that continues to capture the hearts of millions of people all over the world.
When Philip and Patty meet, they both know their lives are about to change. As the couple begin their adventure together, they are unaware that they will become the legends of one of the greatest stories ever told…
Astley’s Astounding Adventures is filled with fast-paced action, laugh-out-loud humour, gripping drama and breath-taking circus – audiences can expect the spectacle of the previous 2018 production with some extra surprises! Written by Staffordshire-born writer Frazer Flintham (Into the Night, Original Theatre, The Throne, New Vic), the production combines the directing talents of Theresa Heskins (Marvellous, New Vic and @sohoplace) and Vicki Dela Amedume MBE, who most recently collaborated together on the Olivier award-winning West End production The Worst Witch.
The cast includes faces familiar and new to the New Vic including Danielle Bird (Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, New Vic) as Patty Jones, Darcy Braimoh (Saudade, Re Nua Production) as John Astley, Gareth Cassidy (The Card, Ladies’ Day, New Vic) as Clown / Alfie Burrell, Adrian Decosta (Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs, Lyric Hammersmith, The Taming of the Shrew, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Charles Hughes, Michael Hugo (Alice in Wonderland, Marvellous, New Vic) as Zipper, Siu-See Hung (Romeo & Juliet with the London Symphony Orchestra, Barbican, The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Nighttime, National Tour) as Clown / Young Philip / Dibdin / The Little Military Horse, and Nicholas Richardson (Tom, Dick & Harry, Beauty and the Beast, New Vic) as Philip Astley.
Joining them are Graeme Clint as Aerialist/Rigger, and Circus Performers Rafiq Ffinch-Shah (Bromance by Barely Methodical Troupe, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Underbelly Festival, Warwick University Theatre and Cambridge Theatre), Joseph Hamilton (Oliver, Grand Opera House), Tamzen Moulding (Benvenuto Cellini, L’Amour de loin, English National Opera) and Lee Partridge (Anthropoda, Paper Doll Militia; Mirrette, Short Film). Live musicians will include trumpeter Cameron Lockett, Musical Director and violinist Farhaan Shah (Coppelia – A Mystery, Beauty and the Beast, New Vic), percussionist Sophie Smith (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, BOST Liverpool Empire, Oliver!, Buxton Opera House), cellist Eleanor Toms (Tom’s Midnight Garden, The Minack Theatre, Treasure Island, New Vic), and trombonist Miri Wallich (Astley’s Astounding Adventures, New Vic).
New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of joy the announcement of this show has generated among audiences. People have such fond memories of it and keep stopping me in the theatre’s café, car park – even in Morrison’s – to tell me how glad they are to have it back and sharing their plans to bring friends and family to share the fun and thrill of this special spectacular.”
Upswing Artistic Director and New Vic Associate Director Vicki Dela Amedume MBE said: “We are thrilled to be working with the New Vic to bring back this joyful work. Astley’s Astounding Adventures fuses circus and theatre to tell a wonderful story in an extraordinary way. I cannot wait to see the reaction from our audience members and truly celebrate the town’s legacy by artistically bringing circus home.”
Astley’s Astounding Adventures takes to the stage at the New Vic from Saturday 23 September to Saturday 21 October 2023. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £10 to £30.50. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01782 717962 or visit newvictheatre.org.uk.