National Theatre completes cast for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in London and on tour

Exclusive: The National Theatre has announced full casting for Jim Cartwright’s The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, directed by National Theatre deputy artistic director Robert Hastie.

The production will run in the Dorfman theatre from 2 December 2026 to 23 January 2027 before touring England from February to March 2027, supported by Arts Council England.

Paul Chuckle will play Mr Boo, Jill Halfpenny will play Mari Hoff and Francesca Mills will play Little Voice. They are joined by Beverly Rudd as Sadie, Daniel Ryan as Ray Say, Adonis Siddique as Billy and Noel White as Telephone Man, as well as understudying Ray Say and Mr Boo.

Completing the company are Alice Croft, who will be in the ensemble and understudy Little Voice; Kofi Dennis, who will be in the ensemble and understudy Billy and Telephone Man; and Nicky Swift, who will be in the ensemble and understudy Mari Hoff and Sadie.

Cartwright’s play follows Little Voice, who spends her time alone in her bedroom singing along to her late father’s record collection. When her mother Mari’s latest partner, Ray, hears her sing, he sees an opportunity to make money from her talent. The production features music from singers including Judy Garland and Billie Holiday.

Hastie’s creative team comprises set and costume designer Janet Bird, lighting designer Paul Pyant, sound designer Mike Walker, composer and music director David Shrubsole, movement director Ira Mandela Siobhan, fight and intimacy director Bethan Clark, casting directors Alastair Coomer and Harry McDonald, dialect coach Hazel Holder and voice coach Zoe Littleton.

Following the National Theatre run, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will tour to Newcastle Theatre Royal from 3 to 6 February 2027, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from 9 to 13 February, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 16 to 20 February, the Lowry in Salford from 23 to 27 February, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury from 2 to 6 March, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 9 to 13 March and Theatre Royal Plymouth from 16 to 20 March.