The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – watch the West End opening night highlights

Last night, WhatsOnStage was invited to the official opening for the West End premiere of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

Based on Rachel Joyce’s bestselling novel, which she has adapted for the stage, the musical features a score by Brit Award nominee Passenger stars Mark Addy in the title role Jenna Russell as Maureen Fry and Noah Mullins as The Balladeer. WhatsOnStage’s Alex Wood described the piece as a “show bubbling with grief, hope, love, and music” in his glowing review.

We caught up with Joyce, Passenger, Addy, Russell and Mullins to get their thoughts on the show’s impact on their own lives and whether indie folk singer-songwriter Passenger ever dreamed he’d be writing a musical.

Watch all the opening night highlights below:

The West End cast also includes Craig Armstrong (Rich and ensemble), Jenna Boyd (Sister Philomena, Farmer’s Wife, Rita and ensemble), Daniel Crossley (Silver Haired Gentleman, Napier and ensemble), Nell Martin (Young Maureen, Deliveroo and ensemble), Nicole Nyarambi (Garage Girl and ensemble), Peter Polycarpou (Rex, Locum and ensemble), Gleanne Purcell-Brown (Kate, Betsy, Kind Customer and ensemble), Ashley Samuels (Wilf, Jim and ensemble), Maggie Service (Queenie Hennessey, Fairy Assistant, Gorilla and ensemble), Madeleine Worrall (Martina and ensemble), Timo Tatzber (Dog, Young Harold, ensemble and puppet captain), with Gemma Atkins (swing), Olivia Foster -Browne (swing), Ediz Mahmut (swing), Edwin Ray (swing, Trainer Man and dance captain).

Under the direction of Katy Rudd, the creative team features designer Samuel Wyer and choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves. Arrangement orchestration and additional music is by Jeremy Holland-Smith, musical supervision and additional music is by Phil Bateman, the lighting designer is Paule Constable, the sound designers are Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, the video designer is Ash J Woodward, and illusions are by Chris Fisher.

Casting is handled by Anna Cooper, the musical director is Chris Poon, the deputy musical director is Caitlin Morgan, the dramaturg is Nick Sidi, the associate directors are Jamie Manton and Nicky Allpress, the associate set and costume designer is Joseph Bisat-Marshall, the associate lighting designers are Hector Murray and Teresa Nagel, and the assistant choreographers are Nell Martin and Edwin Ray.

Production management is by Ammomite Studios, the production consultant is Ben Arkell, the costume supervisors are Laura Rushton and Lisa Aitken with Sophie O’Connor. The wigs, hair and make-up Supervisor is Melanie Bouvet, the prop supervisor is Lizzie Frankl for Propworks, orchestral management is by Andy Barnwell and Rich Weeden for BW Musicians Ltd and general management is by Chris Harper Productions.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is presented in the West End by Chris Harper Productions and Nick Sidi, Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment, Jayne Baron Sherman, Beaver Dam Playhouse, Kevin and Kate McGrath, Drew and Dane Productions, Carolyn Lawson, Laurence Myers, Andrei Cotocu for Seabright Live.

Tickets for performances through to 18 April 2026 are on sale below.