The show will play for a limited run at the Riverside Studios, before embarking on a UK and Ireland tour throughout the summer. Featuring impressive puppetry, the production will include the franchise’s iconic songs penned by the Sherman Brothers, as well as a new underscore and storyline.
“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon”. Undisputable truth. But for those whose joy needs may be a bit pickier, how about a musical starring all of our beloved friends from The Hundred Acre Wood? Today, only a few weeks from starting its run in London, the UK production of Disney’s Winnie The Pooh, The Musical has made official who will be welcoming Christopher Robin (and anyone who wants to join) into their adventures – featuring new original stories with the classic characters we’ve all grown fond of and with during our childhood (and maybe later too!).
Sharing the part of Winnie the Pooh in London will be the previously announced Jake Bazel (who originated the role in New York) and Benjamin Durham (Young Frankenstein). Benjamin will play the title role on tour. On the other hand, the characters of Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Roo will be brought to life by an ensemble of performers, including Laura Bacon (Britain’s Got Talent, Star Wars), Harry Boyd (The Play That Goes Wrong, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story), Alex Cardall (Evita, The Osmonds: A New Musical), Chloe Gentles (Mamma Mia!, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Lottie Grogan(Smurfs Save Spring: The Musical, The Lips for Puppets with Guys) and Robbie Noonan (Avenue Q UK Tour, Jack and the Beanstalk).
Developed and presented by renowned family entertainment creator Jonathan Rockefeller (previous credits include The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, Paddington Gets in a Jam and Sesame Street the Musical), the production will display impressive puppetry designs, apart from an original score by Nate Edmondson. On the other hand, the repertoire will also encompass the Grammy award-winning songs written by the Sherman Brothers for the original animated features, such as Winnie the Pooh, The Blustery Day, The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers and Whoop-De-Dooper Bounce, plus A.A. Milne’s The More It Snows (featuring music by Carly Simon) and Sing Ho in a new arrangement.
Winnie The Pooh, The Musical will play at London’s Riverside Studios from 17 March to 21 May 2023, beginning the tour on 31 May all through the summers. Tickets and tour details are available on the following link.