Henshall Leads Second Cast into Woman in WhiteDate: 17 June 2005
Details have today been confirmed for who will be joining West End diva Ruthie Henshall] in the new cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest musical, The Woman in White, at the Palace Theatre (See News, 11 Apr 2005).
As previously reported, from 11 July 2005, Henshall takes over from Maria Friedman in the role of Marian Halcombe, while current Walter Hartright, Martin Crewes, will be succeeded by fellow Aussie Damian Humbley. Humbley’s numerous musical theatre credits in his native Australia include Oliver, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Merrily We Roll Along. The Woman in White is his West End debut.
The role of Laura Fairlie will be played by Alexandra Silber, also making her West End debut having just completed training at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Elinor Collette, whose previous appearances on the West End stage include lead roles in Les Miserables and Mamma Mia!, will play Anne Catherick, the Woman in White of the title. Sir Percival Glyde will be played by Michael Cormick, whose recent credits include Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera and Wild Bill in Calamity Jane.
Anthony Andrews, who took over from Michael Ball on 2 May 2005, and original cast member Edward Petherbridge will continue in their roles of Count Fosco and Mr Fairlie.
Handsome young drawing master, Walter Hartright, is stranded at a remote railway cutting one night, when a mysterious woman dressed in white appears out of the darkness. The two sisters he teaches, Marian Halcombe and her beautiful half-sister Laura Fairlie, find themselves ensnared in a web of betrayal and intrigues at the hands of the sinister Sir Percival Glyde, and his much more genial but equally underhand friend, Count Fosco.
Loosely based on Wilkie Collins’ Victorian novel, first published in 1869, The Woman in White has a book by Charlotte Jones, with lyrics by David Zippel set to Lloyd Webber’s score. The musical is directed by Trevor Nunn, designed by William Dudley and produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Company. Amongst its accolades are no fewer than five 2005 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards, including Best Director and Best Designer. The musical is currently booking until 1 April 2006.
- by Caroline Ansdell
