Hex (musical) explained

Hex
Music:Jim Fortune
Lyrics:Rufus Norris
Basis:Sleeping Beauty
by Charles Perrault
Premiere Date:4 December 2021
Premiere Location:Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre, London

Hex is a musical with book by Tanya Ronder, lyrics by Rufus Norris and music by Jim Fortune based on the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault.[1]

Plot

Fairy (a fairy named Fairy) lives in a forest all alone, until a palace secretary, Smith, stumbles upon her whilst running from an ogre. He has been searching for a fairy to bring back to the palace to cast a spell to put the newly born princess to sleep, as she has been keeping the whole palace awake. Fairy says if this is what the baby wants, she will be able to perform a bless of sleep on the child.

Production history

National Theatre, London (2021-23)

The musical was announced on 4 June 2021 as part of the National Theatre, London's autumn 2021 season. On 16 July 2021 initial casting was announced, including Rosalie Craig as the Fairy.[2] The show began previews in the Olivier Theatre from 4 December until 22 January 2022. The press night was due to take place on 15 December, however due to the rise in cases of the COVID-19 pandemic it was postponed to 21 December, then cancelled along with numerous other performances including the filming of the production to be broadcast for NT Live. Norris announced that the musical would end on 22 January 2022, but be restaged later in the year with a full run including a press night.[3]

The production was directed by Norris with design by Katrina Lindsay, orchestrations by Simon Hale, music supervision by Marc Tritschler, music direction by Tarek Merchant, lighting design by Paul Anderson, choreography by Jade Hackett with consultant choreography by Bill Deamer, sound design by Simon Baker and video design by Ash J Woodward.[4] [5] [6]

A highlights album of songs from the musical was released by Broadway Records on 15 December 2021.[7]

Return season performances were scheduled to run from 26 November 2022 to 14 January 2023 with Irish actor/singer Lisa Lambe as the Fairy.

Cast and characters

Character!London!London Remount
20212022
FairyRosalie CraigLisa Lambe
QueenieTamsin CarrollVictoria Hamilton-Barritt
RoseKat RonneyRosie Graham
BertMichael Elcock
PrinceNatasha J Barnes
Queen ReginaDaisy MaywoodNeïma Naouri
Bruiser ThornDelroy AtkinsonMark Oxtoby
King/PrinceShaq TaylorKody Mortimer
SmithSargon YeldaMichael Matus

Reception

Time Out described the cast as "terrific".[8]

References

  1. Web site: 2022-05-03 . Hex . 2022-07-09 . National Theatre.
  2. Web site: Hex musical at the National Theatre announces initial casting WhatsOnStage . 2021-07-16 . www.whatsonstage.com . en-GB.
  3. Web site: 2022-01-06. Hex: National Theatre cancels opening night of Covid-cursed musical. 2022-01-11. the Guardian. en.
  4. Web site: National Theatre to premiere new musical Hex, based on Sleeping Beauty fairytale WhatsOnStage. 2021-06-04. www.whatsonstage.com. en-GB.
  5. Web site: Thomas. Sophie. 2021-06-03. Giles Terera, Tanya Moodie and Lesley Sharp feature in new National Theatre season, full details announced. 2021-06-04. London Theatre Guide. en.
  6. Web site: Wild. Stephi. Photos: First Look at HEX at the National Theatre!. 2022-01-10. BroadwayWorld.com. en.
  7. Web site: Hex (Highlights from the National Theatre Production) [MP3]]. 2022-01-11. Broadway Records. en-US.
  8. Web site: Saville . Alice . 2022-12-07 . The National Theatre’s big Sleeping Beauty musical Hex is weird but fun . 2023-08-04 . Time Out London . en-GB.

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