Identical is based on the novel ‘The Parent Trap’ by Erich Kästner, which inspired the hugely successful Disney films featuring Hayley Mills in 1961 and Lindsay Lohan in 1998.
Destined for the West End, it will open at Nottingham Playhouse 26 July – 14 August 2022, then transfer to Salford’s The Lowry 19 August – 3 September 2022.
Identical, directed by Olivier and Tony award-winning Trevor Nunn (responsible for some of the greatest hits in the world, including ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Starlight Express’, ‘Cats’ and ‘Sunset Boulevard’), tells the story of Lottie and Lisa, twin girls separated at birth, reunited by chance at a summer camp 10 years later. In an attempt to get to know their other parent, they decide to swap identities.
Joining the previously announced three sets of identical twins, who will share the central roles of Lottie and Lisa, are Emily Tierney (Glinda in ‘Wicked’, Molly in ‘Ghost’, Carrie Carter/Super Hot Lady in ‘Eugenius!’), James Darch (Brad in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’, Sky in ‘Mamma Mia!’), Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson (Fastrada, ‘Pippin’, Maisie in ‘The Boy Friend’), Louise Gold (Yente in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, Mazeppa in ‘Gypsy’), Michael Smith-Stewart (‘The Lion King’, ‘Rent’, ‘The Full Monty’).
The ensemble features Rico Bakker (‘Hairspray’, ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’), David Bardsley (‘The Grinning Man’, ‘Billy Elliot’), Hannah Cauchi (Frenchie in ‘Cabaret’, ‘Top Hat’), Paige Fenlon (lead female role of Luisa in ‘Zorro’, ‘Pretty Woman’), Rosie Glossop (Pat in ‘Kinky Boots’, Diva 3/Shirley in ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’), Dominic Adam Griffin (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cinderella’, ‘Evita’), Jordan Isaac (‘Bring It On’, ‘Mary Poppins’), Rutendo Mushonga (Zoonation’s ‘Message in a Bottle’, ‘The Lion King’), Ellie Nunn (Ida in ‘Honk!’, Minnie in ‘The Daughter in Law’).
Identical twins Kyla and Nicole Fox, aged 12, from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, Emme and Eden Patrick, 12 from Waltham Abbey and Sienna and Savannah Robinson, 12 from Bromley, were cast following a five-year casting search and multiple auditions across the UK.
Playing the other children are Winter Jarrett Glasspool, Daisy Jeffcoate, Isabelle Larrey, Saffia Layla, Parrine Long, Helena Middleton, Kirsten Muzvuru and Poppy Pawson.
The show also introduces two new dog stars, Cairn Terrier Ness, and West Highland Terrier Louby, who will share the role of Pepi.
‘Identical’ has Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, (the multi award-winning writers of the Olivier award-winning National Theatre hit ‘Honk!’, who also created a new score for the international smash-hit Cameron Mackintosh/Disney production of ‘Mary Poppins’) with a Book by Stuart Paterson, whose drama ‘Prisoner C33’ about Oscar Wilde (Toby Stephens) in Reading Gaol, directed by Trevor Nunn, premiered earlier this month on BBC4.
Creative team: Director Trevor Nunn, Choreographer Matt Cole, Set Design Rob Jones, Costume Design Jonathan Lipman, Video Design Douglas O’Connell, Lighting Design Johanna Town, Sound Design Paul Gatehouse, Musical Supervisor Caroline Humphris, Musical Director Tamara Saringer, Orchestrator Tom Curran, Associate Director (with special responsibility for the children) Martha Geelan, Associate Choreographer Jane McMurtrie, Casting Director Anne Vosser, Children’s Casting and Administration Jo Hawes, Wig and Hair Designer Richard Mawbey, Production Manager Digby Robinson, General Management & Marketing Kenny Wax Ltd.
FULL CAST
Emily Tierney LISALOTTE
James Darch JOHAN
Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson MISS GERLACH
Louise Gold ROZA/MISS MUTHESIUS
Michael Smith-Stewart DR STROBL
Rico Bakker ENSEMBLE
David Bardsley FRANZ/MR BERNAU
Hannah Cauchi COVER MISS ULRIKE/MIZZI/ENSEMBLE
Paige Fenlon COVER MISS GERLACH/ENSEMBLE
Rosie Glossop COVER ROZA/MISS MUTHESIUS/ENSEMBLE
Dominic Adam Griffin HANDSOME CLIMBER/ DANCER
Jordan Isaac COVER HANDSOME CLIMBER/ENSEMBLE
Rutendo Mushonga ENSEMBLE
Ellie Nunn MISS ULRIKE / MIZZI
Kyla & Nicole Fox, Emme & Eden Patrick, Sienna & Savannah Robinson IDENTICAL TWINS - LISA & LOTTIE
CHILD ENSEMBLE
Winter Jarrett Glasspool
Daisy Jeffcoate
Isabelle Larrey
Saffia Layla
Parrine Long
Helena Middleton
Kirsten Muzvuru
Poppy Pawson
Ness & Louby PEPI (The Dog)
IDENTICAL is produced by Kenny Wax Ltd, Gavin Kalin, Playing Field (Theatre) Limited, Kevin McCollum and Stewart F. Lane Bonnie Comley. It is co-produced with Nottingham Playhouse.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
