The co-production between Watermill Theatre (6th February-14th Marh) and Theatre by the Lake (26th March-18th April) is based on the book by Flora Thompson and written for the stage by by Tamsin Kennard.
The cast and creative team has been announced for Lark Rise to Candleford the brand new co-production from the Watermill Theatre and Theatre by the Lake, in association with Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company.
This is a memory. It’s also a story. The story of a girl called Laura.
Surrounded by golden fields and tinkling brooks, time trickles in the hamlet of Lark Rise. A home, for Laura and her loving family, in their snug, thatched cottage. But, with the gentle rhythm of the changing seasons, her heart yearns for something else, something more.
When the long-promised trip over to Candleford finally comes, Laura discovers a world beyond Lark Rise, beyond the pages of her beloved books. A world which moves to a different beat, full of new characters and new opportunities. Striving to find her place, to rewrite her future, a new chapter for Laura begins.
Woven together with original music performed by an ensemble cast, this new version of Lark Rise to Candleford tells a story of cherished memories, finding your wings and the threads that bind us to home.
It has been announced that Rosalind Ford (Coven at Kiln Theatre, In Clay at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, The Cabinet Minister at Menier Chocolate Factory) will play ‘Dorcas Lane’, playing both ‘Father’ and ‘Uncle John’ will be Christopher Glover (The Kite Runner UK and Ireland Tour, Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse, The Card at New Vic), playing ‘Godfrey Parish’ will be Zrey Sholapurkar (The History Boys at Theatre Royal Bath and the UK Tour), Rosalind Steele (Spitfire Girls with Tilted Wig, As You Like It with Pilgrim Players, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child in the West End) will be ‘Mother’, Jessica Temple (Hamlet with The RSC, Patriots at the Almeida, The Mousetrap at St Martins Theatre) will play ‘Laura’, and in the role of ‘Edmund’ will be Alex Wilson (Lark Rise to Candleford and The Snow Queen at Everyman Cheltenham with Hammerpuzzle Theatre, Secret Life of Humans at English Theatre Frankfurt, The Merchant of Venice with Shakespeare In Italy).
The show has been written and composed by Tamsin Kennard, with direction from Bryn Holding. Anna Kelsey will provide set and costume design, lighting design by Jane Lalljee, sound designer will be Anna Short, movement direction by Patsy Browne-Hope and Jason Addison will be associate lighting designer and programmer. The stage management team will be Cat Pewsey, CSM for the Watermill Theatre, Sophie Acreman, CM for Theatre by the Lake, and Andrea Claire, DSM. Casting by Cydney Beech and Claire Dunk.