FUN HOME Regional Premiere Finds Full Cast at Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange Theatre has announced the cast for the regional premiere of the Tony-Award winning musical FUN HOME, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The musical’s Northern debut, which marks the 20th anniversary of Alison Bechdel’s iconic graphic novel, is directed by former Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom who is making her ‘Homecoming’ to the theatre in its 50th anniversary season of the same name.

FUN HOME is an exhilarating and heartbreaking musical about coming out and coming of age. Cartoonist Alison Bechdel, played by Jodie McNee, takes audiences on a journey into her childhood memories remembering what it’s like to grow up in a funeral home, undergo a sexual awakening in college, and try to make sense of the secrets at the heart of her family, including her dad Bruce Bechdel played by Olivier-award winning stage and screen actor Nigel Harman. 

This modern masterpiece is a tale of grief and love, queer tragedy and queer joy, told through soaring, revelatory songs and runs in in the Exchange’s iconic round from 3 July to 1 August 2026.

Returning to the Royal Exchange after performances in NORA: A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE NIGHT WATCH, HAMLET, ORPHEUS DESCENDING, and A TASTE OF HONEY, Jodie McNee (KING LEAR, Globe Theatre; Orlando, Garrick Theatre; ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE, Royal Court Theatre) will be portraying Alison Bechdel opposite award-winning actor Nigel Harman (SHREK, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; GUYS AND DOLLS, Picadilly Theatre; EASTENDERS, BBC; DOWNTOWN ABBEY, ITV) who is joining the production as Bruce Bechdel. 

Alice Audrey O'Hanlon (BILLY ELLIOT, Victoria Palace; MAMMA MIA!, Novello Theatre) will take on the role of Medium Alison, while Small Alison will be played alternately by Lillie Babb (TILL THE STARS COME DOWN, National Theatre; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, HOME Manchester; LES MISERABLES, UK Tour), Felicity L.J. Moore (LOVE LIFE, Leeds Grand Theatre; A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, Regional Tour/Leeds Grand Theatre; LES MISÉRABLES, Leeds Grand Theatre) and Harriet O’Shea (MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, HOME Theatre; HOLLYOAKS, Channel 4).

Returning to the Royal Exchange following her performance in INTO THE WOODS in 2015, Natasha Cottriall(HENRY VIII, Globe Theatre; THE WELKIN, National Theatre) steps into the role of Joan, while What’s On Stage Award nominee Alex Young (STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE, Sheffield Crucible/National Theatre; STRANGER THINGS, Phoenix Theatre) joins the cast as Helen Bechdel, andLucca Chadwick-Patel (MEAN GIRLS, Savoy Theatre; MAMMA MIA!, Novello Theatre; LEGALLY BLONDE Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) joins as Roy / Bobby / Mark / Pete. 

Reggie Kempson (LES MISÉRABLES, World Tour; BLUE PETER, CBBC), Finley Litchfield and Reuben Shepherdboth making their professional stage debut at the Royal Exchange will be playing the role of John at alternate performances, similarly to Arthur Lyons (PETER PAN, PHA), Morris McKinley making his professional debut and Theo Wake (MACBETH, Harold Pinter Theatre; LES MISÉRABLES, Sondheim Theatre; OLIVER!, Leeds Playhouse) who will be playing Christian. 

The cast is completed by Jennifer Caldwell (PINOCCHIO, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; SIX THE MUSICAL, UK, Ireland & Korea Tour/Arts Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre; MAMMA MIA!, Prince of Wales Theatre/Novello Theatre) as Offstage cover for Alison, Medium Alison, Helen & Joan, and Alfie Richards (THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, UK Tour; TREASON, London Palladium/UK Tour) as Offstage cover for Bruce and Roy / Bobby / Pete / Mark.