A brand-new stage adaptation of Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s best-selling children’s book, The Lion Inside, launches its world premiere tour this spring. Adapted and directed by Sarah Punshon with original music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer, The Lion Inside comes to Newport for the Easter holidays, playing at the Riverfront from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 March, with 5 performances.
The cast includes Caitlin Mallory (Lion), James Keningale (Mouse), Clarke Joseph-Edwards (Storyteller), and Esmée Cook (Understudy).
The creative team includes Sarah Punshon (Adapter & Director), Eamonn O’Dwyer (Music & Lyrics), Oli Townsend (Set & Costume Design), Laura Cubitt (Movement & Puppetry Director), Ryan Day (Lighting Designer), Ella Wahlström (Sound Designer), Chuck Brown for Unit 9 Puppet Workshop (Puppet Design & Fabrication) Emma Brunton (Additional Choreography & Puppet Associate) and Antonia Day (Costume Supervisor).
Fed up of being ignored and forgotten by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes … and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!
This is a heart-warming story about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar. Based on the multi-million copy selling book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field published by Hachette Children’s Group, this brand-new adaptation for stage is scheduled to tour throughout the UK and Middle East through late summer 2024. A preliminary list of venues and dates is included below with additional engagements to be confirmed.
Sarah Punshon, writer and director, said: “Bringing such well-known and well-loved characters to life on stage is a big responsibility! Rachel’s words and Jim’s pictures are embedded in so many families’ hearts. My script needed to be true to the story we all know, but find its own theatricality. We’re having great fun in rehearsals finding ways to bring a whole savannah of animals to life, and I can’t stop singing Eamonn O’Dwyer’s fabulous songs. It’s a joy collaborating with this amazing creative team. I’m so looking forward to delighting audiences with our brand-new version, inspiring children across the country to find their own roar.”
