The first production created in a partnership between Upswing, Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre and London’s Unicorn Theatre is to have its international première in New York.
The New Victory Theater on Broadway has selected The Princess and the Pea to form part of its autumn season.
Directed by Upswing’s Vicki Dela Amedume MBE and New Vic’s artistic director Theresa Heskins, The Princess and the Pea premièred at the Unicorn Theatre and Newcastle-under-Lyme’s New Vic earlier in 2024. It was the first time the three companies had produced work together.
Upswing artistic director Amedume said, “taking our show to the New Victory Theater is a dream come true. It's an incredible opportunity to share our unique blend of acrobatics and storytelling with new audiences and to celebrate the power of partnerships as a key to the success of ambitious ideas. It’s the first collaboration between the Unicorn, Upswing and the New Vic but a continuation of a decade of work with the New Vic exploring the power and potential of bringing together circus and theatre.”
Heskins added, “it’s such an honour to have been asked to take this production to the New Victory Theater for their autumn season. We were so pleased with the reaction UK audiences gave the production and I’m really looking forward to taking the show to New York’s theatre district—to the famous 42nd Street—to see how an international audience reacts.”
The Broadway performance of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale will reunite original cast members Danielle Bird (Yellow Servant), Nathan Johnston (Green Servant), Robert Penny (Blue Servant) and Rhiannon Skerritt (Purple Princess).
It will run at the New Victory Theater from Saturday 19 until Sunday 27 October.