Producers Hugo Six, in association with Thomas Hopkins Productions, have officially announced the casting for the upcoming European premiere of the critically acclaimed new musical Private Jones. The production is scheduled to run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from December 14, 2026, through January 30, 2027, with an official national press night set for December 17.
The innovative production is a coming-of-age story set during World War I that explores themes of friendship, belonging, and unexpected heroism. The plot follows Gomer Jones, a restless young man who feels shut out from society after losing his hearing. Upon joining a company of misfit soldiers, he becomes an unlikely hero, only to discover that the goals he has been chasing might not be the ones that truly matter. The show is written and directed by Marshall Pailet, with choreography by Misha Shields and artistic sign language direction by CODA filmmaker Alexandria Wailes.
The staging features a unique, multi-layered theatrical framework that intentionally weaves together British Sign Language (BSL), open live captioning at every performance, a live Foley soundscape, and a sweeping contemporary orchestral score. To bring this vision to life, the production utilizes an inclusive ensemble consisting of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing performers.
BAFTA-winning actor and presenter Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE will lead the company in the prominent role of The Storyteller. She will star alongside James Spence, who takes on the titular role of Gomer Jones. The production also features a talented supporting company including Ffion Haf, Nadeem Islam, Bronwyn James, Luke McCall, Jacob Ethan Tanner, and Jacob Young.
First workshopped in 2021, Private Jones secured its official world premiere at the Signature Theatre in Virginia in early 2024, where it won four prestigious Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding New Musical. The production has since been heavily revised and redeveloped ahead of its London run, incorporating specialized creative consulting from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Tickets for the highly anticipated winter season are available now.
