Full casting announced for Curve Gypsy, opens 15 Mar

The Curve Theatre, Leicester has announced full casting for its forthcoming production of Gypsy which opens on 15 March 2012 (previews from 10 March) starring, as previously announced, Caroline O’Connor as Mama Rose.

Joining her in the principal cast will be: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Louise), Daisy Maywood (June), David Fleeshman (Herbie), Lucinda Shaw (Mazeppa), Jane Fowler (Electra) and Geraldine Fitzgerald (Tessie Tura).

Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents‘ 1959 musical is inspired by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and charts the story of Mama Rose and her determination to live out her dreams of stardom through her two daughters.

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, who plays Louise, has starred in Flashdance (West End and UK tour); Grease (West End); Desperately Seeking Susan (West End); West Side Story (Broadway); Fame (West End); Mamma Mia! (West End) and Saturday Night Fever (West End).

Daisy Maywood, who plays her sister June, most recently played Peggy Sawyer in Curve’s production of 42nd Street and before that played Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera – 25th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

David Fleeshman, father of actor Richard, has recently been seen on stage in As You Like It and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the Manchester Royal Exchange; Lucinda Shaw‘s recent theatre work includes Priscilla, Queen on the Desert the Musical in the West End.

Jane Fowler recently performed in 42nd Street (Curve), while her other stage credits include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anything Goes and Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre.

Geraldine Fitzgerald also appeared in 42nd Street, as well as The Invisible Man (Menier Chocolate Factory), Mamma Mia (Prince of Wales), Life After Scandal (Hampstead) and Dancing at Lughnasa (Lyric, Belfast).

Directed by Curve artistic director Paul Kerryson, the Gypsy company also includes: Jason Winter, Stuart Ramsay, Matt Gillett, Matthew Caputo and Ryan Gover. The professional cast are joined by 17 local children in two teams, which will perform on alternate performances. Hannah Everest and Lulu Mae Pears will play Baby June and Hollie Pugh and Olivia Price will play young Louise.

Kerryson will reunite the creative team behind The King and I, which debuted at the Curve in 2010: Choreographer David Needham; designer Sara Perks; lighting Philip Gladwell; sound Ben Harrison and musical director Michael Haslam.