Lead cast and creative team confirmed for world premiere of The Pianist musical

Lead casting has been announced for the world premiere of The Pianist.

Written and directed by Thom Southerland, the stage adaptation is based on the memoir by Władysław Szpilman, which inspired Roman Polanski’s Academy Award-winning film

The show will first be seen at Mayflower Studios, Southampton, from 9 to 12 September, ahead of a run at Park Theatre from 15 October to 28 November.

Daniel Krikler will lead the production as Szpilman, who was not only a Holocaust survivor but one of Poland’s most celebrated composers and pianists. 

Original compositions will be performed by a cast of actor-musicians, depicting the cultural life of pre-war Warsaw and its destruction during the Second World War, alongside new arrangements by Simon Lee.

New lyrics come from an international group of writers and musicians, including two-time Grammy nominee Carol Connors, acclaimed songwriter David Batteau, jazz singer Wendy Lands and collaborator Jim Gillard, Grammy-nominated Michael Ruff, Szpilman’s son Andreas Szpilman, and award-winning lyricist Marcy Heisler.

Krikler said: “I couldn’t be more honoured and excited to be bringing Wladyslaw’s life to the stage, especially in a way that truly celebrates his own compositions through phenomenal live musicians and orchestrations. As well as being a timely reminder of what happens when we dehumanise a particular section of society, Szpilman’s story demonstrates the true universality and power of music.”

The creative team also includes choreography and movement direction by Karen Bruce, set and video design by Andrzej Goulding, lighting design by Robbie Butler, sound design by Gareth Tucker for Autograph Sound, costume design by Jonathan Lipman, musical direction by Malcolm Forbes-Peckham, assistant direction by Josh Whatsize, casting by Ginny Schiller and casting assistance by Ben Armstrong, and executive producing and general management by DEM Productions.

Southerland said: “The Pianist is a story that has lived with me for many years, and I feel deeply honoured to be bringing it to the stage. At its heart is Wladyslaw Szpilman’s extraordinary journey of survival, but what moves me most is the humanity that shines through the darkest of circumstances. It is a story about compassion, courage, and the moments of kindness that can change the course of a life.”

He added: “Throughout this process, it has been a genuine privilege to collaborate with the Szpilman family. Their trust in us to tell Wladyslaw’s story is something I carry with great responsibility, and their insight has been invaluable in helping us bring him to life not only as a survivor, but as an artist, a father, and a man whose music was inseparable from who he was.”

Further casting is to be announced.