Imagine combining the majesty of the world-class English National Opera with the serenity of the great outdoors at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Imagine no more: Hansel And Gretel, a new co-production between the two bodies, is coming to the venue this summer, and casting has today been announced.
The show will feature two casts, performing at alternate performances, throughout Hansel And Gretel’s run from 14-22 June. Rachel Kelly and Heather Lowe will share the role of Hansel (in their ENO debuts), and Susanna Hurrell (debuting for the ENO next month in The Magic Flute) and Elizabeth Karani (debuting) will share the part of Gretel.
Alongside them, Mother will be played by Rosie Aldridge and Gweneth Ann Rand, and Father by Duncan Rock and Ben McAteer. Alasdair Elliott and John Findon will share the role of the Witch, while Gillian Keith will portray the Sandman at all performances, with He Wu as the Dew Fairy.
The show will be directed by the Open Air Theatre’s Artistic Director, Timothy Sheader, and features an ensemble of 30 and an orchestra of 19 (plus conductor) – the Open Air Theatre’s largest company.
Hansel And Gretel is based on the fairytale Hänsel Und Gretel by Jacob Ludwig and Wilhelm Carl Grimm. Translated by David Pountney, it features music by composer Engelbert Humperdinck, with original libretto by Adelheid Wette.
The show slots into the 2019 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre season alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning play Our Town (16 May – 8 June), Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (28 June – 27 July) and Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita (2 August – 21 September).