The Royal Shakespeare Company will be aiming to enhance its reputation for family shows with the première of the first major stage adaptation of Russell Hoban's book The Mouse and His Child.
The story involves children discarding a clockwork mouse and his child on Christmas Day. Lost and alone, they desperately want to get back home to the toyshop.
This “cult classic tale of escape, the search for freedom and reunited families” was written in 1967 and was Hoban's first full length novel. He died last year.
Tamsin Oglesby, whose play Really Old, Like Forty Five was performed at the National Theatre in 2010, has adapted Hoban’s work.
Paul Hunter, co-artistic director of Told by an Idiot, directs. His production of the Young People's Shakespeare version of The Comedy of Errors played in schools and theatres last year.
He said of the production, “It's a universal story. It's poignant and profound and funny. It's also absurd and exciting and magical with something for all the family.
“The adults in the audience definitely won't be sitting there looking at their watches waiting to get a drink at the interval!”
He added, “I don't see it as a kids’ show—I read an interview with one of the founders of Pixar Films who was asked what audience he was targeting with his films and he responded ‘anybody who breathes’. That’s what I want for this production.
“I want it to be seen by a seven-year-old with their 70-year-old grandparent and for both of them to enjoy it and get something out of it.”
Daniel Ryan and Bettrys Jones take on the title roles. Ryan appeared as Andrew Gilligan in the television drama The Government Inspector and as Kenny Reed in The Whistleblowers.
His recent theatre work includes Gethsemene at the National Theatre and on tour; Inadmissible Evidence at the Donmar Warehouse; and Laura Wade's Posh at the Royal Court. He was last with the RSC in 1999-2000 and played Bottom in Michael Boyd's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Bettrys Jones appeared in the West End transfer of the National Theatre's War Horse. She last appeared with the RSC in 2005 in Gregory Doran's A Midsummer Night's Dream and a touring production of The Taming of the Shrew.
The cast also includes: David Charles (rat), Denton Chikura (frog), Bart Soroczynski (rat), Paapa Essiedu (rat), Calum Finlay (rat), Stephen Harper (Euterpe), Michael Hodgson (Manny the Rat), Martin Hyder (Mr Crow), Julia Innocenti (Ralphie/Mrs Crow), Carla Mendonça (elephant), Thomas Pickles (rat), Naomi Sheldon (rat), Ged Simmons (rat), David Sterne (rat), Simeon Truby (rat), Obioma Ugoala (rat).
The production is designed by Angela Davies with lighting by Paul Anderson and sound by Andrew Franks. Music is by Iain Johnstone and movement by Sian Williams.
The Mouse and His Child is suitable for anyone aged seven and over. It opens in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on Saturday (17 November), with press night on Thursday 29 November. It runs until Saturday 12 January.