Iceni News New Musical

Pioneers Of ‘Girl Power’ Celebrated In New Musical

Photo by Steve Tanner

MALORY TOWERS - June 23-27

High jinks, high spirits and high drama are promised in a new musical version of a classic Enid Blyton novel.

One of the original stories celebrating girl power, Malory Towers, will take to the Norwich Theatre Royal stage from June 23 to 27. This brand new production will feature plenty of excitement and adventure plus live music and some breath-taking animation. along with a quick temper. Will she learn to tolerate the infuriating Gwendoline Lacey or value the kind-hearted Sally Hope? Darrell also has to save the school play and rescue terrified Mary Lou from the grip of a raging storm.

Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, who directed the stunning version of Rebecca which came to Norwich Theatre Royal in 2015, Malory Towers is aimed at all ages who dream of midnight feasts and Cornish clifftops.

It tells the story of Darrell Rivers who starts school with an eager mind and a fierce heart

Emma said the story pays tribute to the women who taught in schools after the Second World

Photo by Steve Tanner

War. She said: “With lives shaped by the savagery of two wars, these teachers devoted themselves to the education and nurture of other women. My adaptation is also for the two generations of men who died in those same wars leaving us with the freedom to lead meaningful, safe and empowered lives.

“It is also for Clement Attlee and his Labour government of 1945 who looked into the face of evil and chose to do what was right. These people changed the political landscape in their focus on care, compassion and the common good.”

She also likens it to another iconic novel because “I call it my ‘Happy Lord of the Flies’ and it is joyfully radical to its bones. Imagine a world where, left to their own devices, people choose kindness. Imagine a world where difference is respected and arguments are resolved with thought and care. Imagine a world that chooses community, friendship and fun. Now that’s a world I want to live in and, at Malory Towers, you can.”

The production boasts a strong creative team include the set and costume designer Lez Brotherston who is known for his long-term collaboration with Matthew Bourne, and it is produced by David Pugh who is known for a wide range of successful productions, which have come to Norwich Theatre Royal including Calendar Girls, Art and The Band.

The show is officially licensed by Enid Blyton Entertainment, a division of Hachette Children’s Group (HCG). Karen Lawler, Head of Licensed Content at HCG, said: “Enid Blyton created incredible female characters at Malory Towers who are strong, capable and always, always kind. They are ‘women the world can lean on,’ in Enid’s own words. We share Emma’s passion for these characters and we couldn’t be more excited to see Emma’s vision of Malory Towers come to life.”

Show Information: Malory Towers, Tuesday 23-Saturday 27 June at 7.30pm, with Thurs and Sat matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets £10-£37.50. Discounts for Over-60s and Under-18s.

To book, log onto: www.norwichtheatre.org