News: Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks extends UK tour dates

The world premiere of brand new stage production of Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks is set to extend its UK tour due to high public demand.

Directed by award-winning theatre-makers Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison, the show is set to play its first performance at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday 14 August 2021.

Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks has confirmed dates for 2022, including a five-week festive season at Leeds Grand Theatre.

Producer Michael Harrison said: “As theatres across the UK and Ireland prepare to reopen, I’m thrilled that so many want to host our exciting new production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks; so we are extending this world premiere tour. Bedknobs and Broomsticks will be one of the biggest shows on the road this year with a cast and crew of over 70 people to bring this classic story to magical life on stage.”

Enter a world of magic and fantasy with this magical adaptation of Disney’s beloved film, featuring original songs by the legendary Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), including “Portobello Road”, “The Age Of Not Believing” and “The Beautiful Briny”.

The show will also feature new music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill.

When the three orphaned Rawlins children are reluctantly evacuated from wartime London to live with the mysterious Eglantine Price, they have no idea what adventures lie ahead. Upon discovering Eglantine to be a trainee witch, they join forces to search for a secret spell that will defeat the enemy once and for all.

Armed with an enchanted bedknob, a bewitched broomstick and a magical flying bed, they encounter surprising new friendships on their journey from Portobello Road to the depths of the beautiful briny sea.

Creative team includes set and illusion design by Jamie Harrison, costume design by Gabriella Slade, orchestrations by Simon Hale, musical supervision by Tom Murray, choreography and movement direction by Neil Bettles, sound design by Gareth Fry, lighting design by Simon Wilkinson and production management by Gary Beestone.

2021 tour dates include (with more to be announced), Newcastle Theatre Royal from 14 to 21 August, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, from 25 to 29 August, Cliffs Pavilion, Southend from 1 to 5 September, The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin from 8 to 12 September, Milton Keynes Theatre from 14 to 19 September, New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 21 to 25 September, Norwich Theatre Royal from 28 September to 3 October, Theatre Royal, Nottingham from 6 to 10 October, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne from 13 to 17 October, Palace Theatre, Manchester, from 19 to 24 October, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, from 26 to 30 October, King’s Theatre, Glasgow from 2 to 7 November, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from 10 to 14 November, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, from 17 to 21 November, Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from 24 to 28 November, Grand Theatre, Leeds, from 3 December to 9 January.

2022 dates include Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, from 11 to 16 January, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, from 19 to 23 January, Bristol Hippodrome from 26 to 30 January, Wales Millennium Centre from 1 to 6 February, Curve, Leicester from 9 to 19 February, Liverpool Empire from 22 to 27 February, Northampton Derngate from 1 to 6 March, Theatre Royal, Plymouth from 8 to 12 March, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton from 5 to 9 April, Hull New Theatre from 12 to 16 April and Belfast Opera House from 27 April to 1 May.

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