Book by Miranda Larson / Music & Lyrics by Tom Fletcher
Directed & Choreographed by Tom Jackson Greaves
Presented by Impossible Producing, Smith & Brant Theatricals, Gavin Kalin Productions, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Southbank Centre
International singer-songwriter, and author, Tom Fletcher (Christmasaurus, Space Band) brings his smash hit bestselling book The Creakers to the stage in a brand-new musical for all the family. Ever wondered what you would do if you woke up and all the adults had disappeared? Lucy, and the kids of Whiffington hadn’t, until one morning…that’s exactly what happens! Expect surprises, adventure and rocking new songs by McFly’s Tom Fletcher as we head on a topsy turvy journey, underneath the bed, to the land of the Creakers, where we discover that it’s often those who are different that make a difference.
Impossible led on the development of this new show after listening to the brilliant audio book of The Creakers with our kids on the long Christmas car journeys from Cornwall in 2022. We listened to the book on repeat, singing the brilliant songs and imagining how brilliant it would be on stage. After developing the show for 2 years (*with the help of some brilliant creatives) we are so excited to be bringing the stage show to audiences for the first time this Autumn.
The show is the second of our South West End productions - large scale new productions led by SW talent working with incredible national creatives - premiering at Theatre Royal Plymouth for October half term and then performing at Southbank Centre London for Christmas.
Alongside making this spangly musical for the stage, behind the scenes we have been working with young people and schools and with our creative teams and environmental and circular economy experts to explore making the show sustainably.
With huge thanks to our co-producing partners Smith & Brant, Gavin Kalin Productions, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Southbank Centre for their faith in making and bringing new musical work with a social and environmental heartbeat to the stage.
*With huge thanks to all the creatives and partners who have helped us on the journey of this project so far;
For the development phases: Firstly a massive thank you to Tom Fletcher for giving us the chance and trusting us, as a small company with big ambitions, to turn his brilliant book The Creakers into a stage show and for being such a brilliant part of the team. Thanks also to Toms team Rachel Drake and Matt Milton for always being there for us. Thank you so much to Development Director: Derek Bond for being such an integral part of the shows beginnings, Writer Miranda Larson, Workshop Musical Director Richard Healey (& for coining the phrase #TheSouthWestEnd), Choreography Stuart Winter, Design Consultancy Rachel Canning , Movement/Visual dramaturge/puppetry direction: Laura Cubitt, Development Puppet Design and Make Maia Kirkman Richards, Workshop Casting Nick Hockaday, Stage Manager Verity Clayton, Associates; Kyla Goodey, Onioluwa Taiwo, Eggy Ray, Megan Berridge, Production Co-ordinator Placement Mengfei Liu, Filmmakers - Dan Martin and John Lynch, Editor - Neal Megaw and performers Eleanor Kane, Nikhil Singh Rai, Consuela Rolle, Roly Botha, Ajaz Awad, Emma Thornett, Darren Seed, Ellie Leah, Abby Russell, Boadicea Ricketts, Daniel Lipton, Hannah Stephens, Stephen Wight. Plus organisations EVOLVE Futures at Exeter University and STRIDE and University of Plymouth Curious School of Puppetry and Kneehigh Barns
Special thanks to Richard Healey and Jen Fletcher and Falmouth University’s Musical Theatre students; Amanda-Lee Seaman, Amelia Ault, Amy Perera, Ashleigh Hutchinson, Bethany Flintham, Dom Burdin, Emma Smirles Ingebrigtsen, Emma Zubka, Grace McLaren, Hannah O’Neill, Harriet Zincke, Jess Smith, Jess Lynn, Jesse Reed, Jodie Stewart, Lily Fletcher, Lola Wood, Maddie Kirby, Melody Chan, Rose Bird, Ryan Hutter, Zeff Stevens.
This project would not be possible without the support of our co-producing partners and the Arts Council England and the Maria Björnson Memorial Fund
Cast and Creatives to be announced on 23 September 2024