Adam Penford’s second production since taking over as artistic director of Nottingham Playhouse will be the stage version of Louis Sachar’s novel Holes.
Penford said he wanted a family-friendly production that would appeal to the theatre’s pantomime and drama audiences. “The film and novel are extremely popular with both adults and children, which makes Holes a perfect choice.”
Holes is set in Texas. Born into a family cursed with bad luck, Stanley is accused of a crime he did not commit. He is sent to Camp Green Lake as punishment and is made to dig a hole every day—five foot deep and five foot in diameter—to “build character”.
Chris Ashby, who plays Stanley, took the role of Malcolm in Penford’s production of Beth Steel’s Wonderland at the Playhouse in February 2018. Kacey Ainsworth, best known as Little Mo in EastEnders, will play the warden. Playhouse panto favourite John Elkington, last seen at the Playhouse in the panto Cinderella and Simon Stephens’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, both in 2017, will play Mr Sir.
Pepter Lunkuse takes the role of Zero, Stanley’s best friend at Camp Green Lake. Other inmates include X-Ray (Ammar Duffus), Magnet (Safiyya Ingar) and Armpit (Henry Mettle, making his professional stage debut).
Nottingham actor Elizabeth Twells, who played Jenny Hardwick in the 2016 production of John Harvey’s Darkness, Darkness at the Playhouse, takes the role of “Kissing” Kate Barlow as well as Stanley’s mom, Myra, Sarah and Ms Morengo.
Edward Harrison plays Stanley’s dad, Mr Pendanski, Trout Walker and Elya. Greg Lockett takes the roles of Sam and Myra’s father.
Designer is Simon Kenny, lighting designer is Prema Mehta and choreographer is Emma Annetts. Puppetry is by Matthew Forbes who was resident puppetry director on War Horse.
Holes runs from Saturday 31 March until Sunday 22 April. Press night will be Thursday 5 April.