Caroline Quentin will appear alongside a host of stage regulars in Terry Johnson’s forthcoming musical Oh What A lovely War when it is revived 50 years after the shocking satire premiered at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.
The star, who rose to fame for her part in BBC comedy Men Behaving Badly and is now equally well known for her much-loved role as sidekick Maddie Magellan in mystery drama Jonathan Creek, will follow theatre credits at high profile London venues including the Menier Chocolate Factory (Pippin, Terrible Advice) and National Theatre (The London Cuckolds, Roots) to appear in the once controversial musical at its original home from 1 February to 15 March.
Joining Quentin in the cast for the revival of Joan Littlewood’s iconic show, which takes a satirical look at World War I and features well known songs including It’s A Long Way To Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles and Keep The Home Fires Burning, are an eclectic mix of stage and screen performers.
Familiar faces from television joining Quentin include Waterloo Road’s Shaun Prendergast, who also starred in the West End production of The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, and Ian Bartholomew, whose 35 year career has included screen roles in Thieves Like Us, Spooks and Foyle’s War, as well as numerous stage credits including The Front Page at the Donmar Warehouse and The Iceman Cometh at the Almeida and the Old Vic.
Arguably best known to audiences for his West End musical credits is Michael Simkins, who, alongside dramatic roles in London productions of Donkeys’ Years (West End) and ‘Tis A Pity She’s A Whore (National Theatre), has starred in musicals including Chicago, Mamma Mia! and Sam Mendes’ Company. Fellow ensemble member and musical regular Tom Lorcan boasts numerous West End appearances in productions including Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot The Musical, Fiddler On The Roof and Blood Brothers, while Zoe Rainey has starred in Wicked and Hairspray, and musical choreographer Rebecca Howell will take a break from her usual off stage role on shows including La Cage Aux Folles to take to the stage as part of the company.
Completing the cast are Alice Bailey-Johnson, who returns to the London stage following the West End production of Noises Off, Oliver J. Hembrough, whose London appearances include Friday Night Sex at the Royal Court and Mamma Mia!, and stage newcomer Kyle Redmond-Jones who made his London stage debut earlier this year in Wilton Music Hall’s The Great Gatsby.
A doubly timely production, as well as marking 50 years since its world premiere, Johnson’s reimagined production of Littlewood’s musical tackling the harsh realities of war will also coincide with the 100th anniversary of World War I.