© Simon Turtle
Alexander Hanson will play the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical inspired by the Profumo Affair Stephen Ward, which opens at the Aldwych Theatre on 19 December (previews from 3 December).
Alexander Hanson‘s stage credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Arena Tour), A Little Night Music (Menier/Garrick), Marguerite (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Sound of Music (London Palladium) and We Will Rock You (Dominion). His film and television credits include Party Animals and Heartbeat.
He will be joined in the cast by Anthony Calf (Lord Astor), Daniel Flynn (John Profumo), Joanna Riding (Valerie Hobson), Charlotte Spencer (Christine Keeler), Charlotte Blackledge (Mandy Rice Davies), Ian Conningham (Ivanov), Chris Howell (Murray), Ricardo Coke Thomas (Lucky Gordon) and Wayne Robinson. (Johnny Edgecomp).
Anthony Calf is currently appearing in Private Lives at the Gielgud Theatre. His other theatre credits include My Fair Lady (Sheffield Theatres), Death and the Maiden (Harold Pinter), The White Guard, The Power of Yes, Gethsemane (National). On television his credits include Restless and Upstairs Downstairs.
Daniel Flynn‘s more recent theatre credits include Bracken Moor (Tricycle), 55 Days (Hampstead), Richard II and Translations (Donmar Warehouse). His TV credits include Room at the Top and Vera.
Joanna Riding was recently directed by Richard Eyre in The Pajama Game for the Chichester Festival Theatre. Her other theatre credits include Billy Elliot the Musical (Victoria Palace), Lend Me A Tenor (Gielgud Theatre) and Fear and Misery (Royal Court).
Charlotte Spencer’s stage credits include Mary Poppins and Oliver! and her film and TV work includes Les Miserables and Mr Selfridge. Charlotte Blackledge is making her professional stage debut in Stephen Ward.
Other cast members are Martin Callaghan, Kate Coyston, Jason Denton, Julian Forsyth, Amy Griffiths, Paul Kemble, Emma Kate Nelson, Carl Sanderson, Emily Squibb, John Stacey, Helen Ternent and Tim Walton.
Stephen Ward was a central player in the scandal, an osteopath and artist who introduced Profumo to Christine Keeler – with whom he would begin his notorious affair – at a country house party. He committed suicide on the last day of the trial.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, book and lyrics by Don Black and directed by Richard Eyre, Stephen Ward is currently booking at the Aldwych Theatre to 1 March 2014.
