Ore Oduba to lead Young Frankenstein revival

Ore Oduba will take on the role of Dr Frederick Frankenstein in the upcoming production of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein The Musical.

The show will open at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre this October, directed and choreographed by Nick Winston.

Running from 10 October to 30 November 2025, a press night is scheduled for 15 October.

It previously ran in the West End, opening in 2017 at the Garrick Theatre with a cast led by Hadley Fraser, Summer Strallen and Lesley Joseph.

Oduba described the job as “a dream come true”, adding: “Mel Brooks is a genius of comedy and Young Frankenstein is as iconic a title as it gets. I watched the most recent production in the West End through tears of laughter! Can’t wait to start “Putting on the Ritz” with our talented cast, crew and creatives. And in such a renowned venue as the Hope Mill Theatre, it’s going to be an unforgettable eight weeks in Manchester.” 

Based on the 1974 film, the musical follows Frederick Frankenstein, who inherits his grandfather’s estate in Transylvania and finds himself drawn into the family business of reanimation. The show, which has a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Brooks, includes songs such as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend,” and the aforementioned “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

This production marks the tenth anniversary of Hope Mill Theatre, which opened in 2015. The venue has built a reputation for its in-house musical theatre work, with hit shows including Rent, Aspects of Love, The Wiz and Mame. 

The full cast and creative team have also been revealed.