Theatre News

Jenna Russell and John Owen-Jones to star in The Hired Man

The 1984 musical returns for a one-off concert production at Cadogan Hall

Jenna Russell and John Owen-Jones will star in The Hired Man

Casting has been announced for the concert production of the 1984 musical The Hired Man.

Jenna Russell (Merrily We Roll Along) will play the role of Emily, and John Owen-Jones (Les Miserables) will play John.

Matthew Seadon-Young (Billy Elliot) will appear as Jackson, while Nigel Richards and Stewart Clarke will play John's brothers Isaac and Seth. Evelyn Hoskins completes the cast as May.

As previously announced, Lord Melvyn Bragg, the author whose novel the musical is based on, will narrate the production.

The musical is set at the turn of the 20th century, and tells the story of two young lovers as they begin married life and parenthood in the agricultural heartlands of Cumbria.

The original 1984 West End production earned four Olivier Award nominations, and Best New Musical at the Ivor Novello Awards.

The Hired Man will play Cadogan Hall on 22 September. Tickets are now on sale through Cadogan Hall.