Pianist, singer and broadcaster Jamie Cullum is to compose the music for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Laura Wade’s adaptation of the W Somerset Maugham play The Constant Wife.
Cullum said, “I’m so excited to be working in theatre like this for the first time. As a composer who often works within the jazz genre, I’m very familiar with the idea of evolving traditions and searching for new ways to play classic material.
“I feel honoured that the brilliant RSC are entrusting me with this opportunity to bring some musical ingenuity to Laura’s deliciously funny and subversive adaptation of Somerset Maugham’s original 1926 script. It’s already been a joy working with (RSC co-artistic director) Tamara Harvey and bouncing ideas around with her. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into rehearsals.”
Harvey, who will direct, added, “Jamie’s contribution has invigorated contemporary jazz and engaged a new generation of listeners. Who better to help us create the world of The Constant Wife, 100 years after it was written? Laura Wade has injected this brilliant classic play with her modern sparkle and bite and Jamie’s music promises to bring another dimension to the story. I’m so excited to see where we go together—it’s already sounding incredible.”
Rose Leslie will play Constance, a “1920s heroine with a decidedly modern spirit”, in The Constant Wife. She was May in Nell Leyshon’s Bedlam at Shakespeare's Globe in 2010 and Wendy in Mixed Up North by Robin Soans, an Out of Joint and Octagon Bolton production in 2009. The full company will be announced later.
The Constant Wife will run in the Swan Theatre, Stratford from Friday 20 June until Saturday 2 August.