Jamie Cullum to compose new music for the RSC’s The Constant Wife with Rose Leslie

Musician and broadcaster Jamie Cullum is set to make his theatrical debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He’ll compose new music for Laura Wade’s The Constant Wife, based on W Somerset Maugham’s original play of the same title.

As already revealed, the production will be directed by the RSC’s co-artistic director Tamara Harvey and will star Rose Leslie.

Cullum said, “I am thrilled to be composing the music for The Constant Wife and so excited to be working in theatre like this for the first time.”

He added: “As a composer who often works within the jazz genre, I am very familiar with the idea of evolving traditions and searching for new ways to play classic material. I feel honoured that the brilliant RSC are entrusting me with this opportunity to bring some musical ingenuity to Laura’s deliciously funny and subversive adaptation of W Somerset Maugham’s original 1926 script.”

Of working with director Harvey, he said, “It’s already been a joy… bouncing ideas around with her. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into rehearsals.”

Harvey added: “Jamie’s contribution has invigorated contemporary jazz and engaged a new generation of listeners. Who better to help us create the world of The Constant Wife, 100 years after it was written? Laura Wade has injected this brilliant classic play with her modern sparkle and bite and Jamie’s music promises to bring another dimension to the story.”

Concluding: “I’m so excited to see where we go together – it’s already sounding incredible.”

Also announced today are the full creative team. It’ll feature set and co-costume designer Anna Fleischle, co-costume designer Cat Fuller, lighting designer Ryan Day, sound designer Claire Windsor, movement director Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, and casting director Charlotte Sutton.

This production is commissioned by and presented in association with David Pugh Limited. It’ll run at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday, 20 June to Saturday, 2 August, with a press night set for 1 July.

The full company is to be revealed soon.