Chris Ashby, Kacey Ainsworth and John Elkington are among the cast of Holes, the stage version of Louis Sachar’s novel which is to have a three-week run at Nottingham Playhouse.
The theatre’s artistic director Adam Penford who directs said, “Holes is an amazing story of friendship and justice. It has a gripping narrative, enchanting characters and real jeopardy. I wanted a family-friendly production that would appeal to both our pantomime and drama audiences.
“The film and novel are extremely popular with both adults and children, which makes Holes a perfect choice.”
Ashby who plays Stanley took the role of Malcolm in Penford’s production of Beth Steel’s Wonderland at the Playhouse in 2018. Kacey Ainsworth, best known as Little Mo in EastEnders, will play the warden. Playhouse panto favourite John Elkington, last seen in the panto Cinderella and Simon Stephens’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, both in 2017, will play Mr Sir.
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, five foot in diameter—to “build character”.
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 plays “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.