Based on the novel The Man Who Laughs written by Victor Hugo (Les Misérables) and following an extended West End run and explosive world premiere at Bristol Old Vic as part of the theatre’s 250th season, this award-winning magical and macabre musical is a fairy-tale love story streaked with pitch-black humour, lashings of Gothic horror and swashbuckling adventure. This “gothic, dark world of magic and mayhem” (WhatsOnStage) is brought to life by Carl Grose (Robin Hood), with an “outstanding score” (The Sunday Times) by Tim Phillips (Game of Thrones), Marc Teitler (The Magician’s Elephant) and Tom Morris (War Horse).
A strange new act has arrived at Trafalgar Fair’s freakshow.
Who is Grinpayne and how did he get his hideous smile?
In the grim and blackened streets of Trafalgar Square, with the help of an old puppeteer, his pet wolf and a blind girl, Grinpayne’s tale is told. Desperate to know the terrible secrets of his mysterious past and discover the truth of his gruesome disfigurement, Grinpayne leaves everything he knows and loves behind and embarks on a journey into an even crueller world. Welcome to an epic tale of gothic horror, laughter, hope and humanity’s deep desire to be ‘seen’ and loved for who we truly are – in our darkness and our light.
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Book By: Carl Grose
Composer, arrangements and orchestration: Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler
Lyrics: Carl Grose, Tom Morris, Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler
Produced By: Ashley Taylor Tickell (Salty Theatre) and Aleksandar Vass OAM (Vass Productions)
Directed By: Miranda Middleton
Musical Director: David Youings
Choreographer: Freya List
Set & Costume Design: Sophie Woodward
Associate Director: Ashley Taylor Tickell
Campaign graphics By: feastcreative.com
UK Production Photos: Helen Maybanks / ArenaPAL
By Arrangement with ORiGiN™ Theatrical on behalf of Concord Theatricals Ltd
2hrs 30mins (incl. interval)
April 25th, 2024
May 19th, 2024
Musicals
Alex Theatre, St Kilda
Recommended for ages 12+
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