Cast Announced For RSC’s ‘The Magician’s Elephant’

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) have announced the casting for the musical adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant.

The children’s production describes the journey of orphan boy Peter Augustus Duchene from small-town Baltese, whose life takes an enchanting turn when an elephant conjured from the sky by a magician helps him find his way. The appearance of the elephant is the first in a series of incredible events that help to shape both Peter’s life, and the town, forever.

Making his RSC debut this year, Peter Duchene is to be played by Jack Wolfe, whose prior theatre credits include Sweeney Todd (Lyric Belfast), Pinocchio (National Theatre) and The Snow Queen (Rose Theatre Kingson). Wolfe has also appeared on TV productions including Inside No. 9, The Witcher, Hetty Feather, and Father Brown. 

Marc Antolin and Keisha Amponsa Banson will play the roles of Leo and Gloria Matienne, and Summer Strallen and Sam Harrison have been cast in the roles of Countess and Count Quintet respectively.

RSC Associate Artist Forbes Masson will play the Police Chief, and Mark Meadows will play Vilna Lutz.

The musical has been written by Nancy Harris, with music and lyrics by Marc Teitler. 

Running from 14 October 2021 to 1 January 2022, The Magician’s Elephant will be directed by Sarah Tipple. Initially intended to be aired in October 2020, the production marks the reopening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre after the pandemic. 

Words by Lucy Dunn

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Featured Image Credit: Photo by Sam Allard (c) RSC