Nuffield's Christmas Show MERLIN Begins Tonight

This Christmas, Southampton's Nuffield will be transformed into the enchanting, mythical kingdom of Camelot to tell the story of young MERLIN and his childhood friends Arthur and Gwen as they embark on an action-packed journey of a lifetime, encountering powerful magic forces, mystical characters and adventures beyond their wildest dreams. MERLIN will run tonight 26 November 2015 - 3 January 2016, with press night set for Tuesday 1 December 2015.

MERLIN is a co-production with Royal & Derngate, Northampton. Created by Ollie Birch (The Best Christmas Present in the World, Nuffield; Flatpack Nativity: Angel Command: National Theatre) and Ella Hickson (Wendy and Peter Pan, Royal Shakespeare Company: Boys, Nuffield / Headlong Theatre / Hightide Festival Theatre), the production combines quick fire storytelling with new music by BAFTA nominated Rob Castell (Officially Amazing, CBBC). MERLIN is directed by Liam Steel (Into the Woods (Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival), Regent's Park Open Air Theatre; Barnum, Chichester Festival Theatre).

Prince Arthur is destined to become a knight, but he is torn between duty to his country and loyalty to his friends. Young squire MERLIN is struggling to keep his extraordinary and unruly magic powers under control, and the gutsy Princess Gwen proves that she might just be the bravest of them all.

Annie Reilly, Producer for Nuffield, said: "Featuring some of Camelot's most extraordinary and hilarious characters, from petulant princesses to vile villains and mystical dragons, this magical musical play tells the origins of one of the most famous legends of all time... With roaring adventures and extraordinary songs."

The cast includes Rob Castell (Fully Committed, Menier Chocolate Factory; The Snow Queen, Nuffield; The Hudsucker Proxy, Nuffield and Liverpool Playhouse, Fred Lancaster (Henry V, West End; This House, National Theatre), Joshua Manning (The BFG, Birmingham Rep; The End of Something, Old Vic), Kayla Meikle (Streets, Waterloo Vaults; Sweeney Todd, LAMDA), Aryana Ramkhalawon (Secret Garden, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto and Royal Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; Waterloo Road, BBC), Sophie Reid (Once, West End; Game of Thrones, HBO), and Adam Welsh (War Horse, West End; Dreamboats and Petticoats, UK tour, West End).

Rob Castell returns to Nuffield as composer, musical director, and cast member of MERLIN, following his performances as Rudolf in The Snow Queen last Christmas and Smitty in Nuffield's UK Theatre Award-winning production of The Hudsucker Proxy in May 2015. Rob is known for his work with the comedy musical group Barbershopera, and he writes and performs songs for the BAFTA-nominated CBBC show Officially Amazing.

The production is directed by Liam Steel. Liam has directed a host of productions, including Into the Woods (Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival), Regent's Park Open Air Theatre; Barnum, Chichester Festival Theatre, and Heavenly, Frantic Assembly / Soho Theatre / 59E59 New York. His credits as a choreographer include Porgy and Bess (Olivier Award Nomination- Best Musical Revival), Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, and Ghost The Musical, Manchester Opera House, West End, Broadway, Korea, U.K., U.S. and China Tours. Liam was responsible for all of the musical staging and choreography for the film musical LES MISERABLES.

This co-production is part of the partnership between Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and Nuffield, which has seen them collaboratively commission, develop and produce annual adaptations of well-loved children's titles which will play at both theatres across two Christmas seasons. The Snow Queen, Nuffield's 2014 Christmas show will play at Royal & Derngate this Christmas, while Nuffield is staging MERLIN in Southampton this year.

Tickets for MERLIN are available from Nuffield's Box Office: 023 8067 1771 / nuffieldtheatre.co.uk.

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