The Artist – one of the most well-received and most anticipated musicals of 2024, may be heading to the West End stage.
Drew McOnie’s new stage adaptation of The Artist played a short season at Theatre Royal Plymouth last year in April and May.
The show proved a huge hit, attracting record audiences and going down a storm with theatre critics, including a number of London critics, with five stars from Dominic Cavendish in The Telegraph and Donald Hutera in The Stage.
Now, the star of the show, award-winning international dancer and actor Robbie Fairchild (An American In Paris) who played silent movie icon George Valentin, has teased a return for the show.
Recently posting on Instagram, Fairchild said that he was in London “working on The Artist and catching up with my British buds”.
Alongside Robbie Fairchild, the cast included West End star Gary Wilmot (The Wizard of Oz), who is currently starring in A Man For All Seasons on tour, as Al Zimmer; and Briana Craig (42nd Street) as Peppy Miller.
Gary Wilmot and Briana Craig performed at the Whatsonstage Awards last week, where the show was nominated for an impressive 6 awards including Best Regional Production, Best Direction, and Best Choreography.
At the awards, Gary Wilmot introduced the show, and Briana Craig sang a number.
The stage show is based on Michel Hazanavicius’ Oscar-winning movie, and is directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s new artistic director Drew McOnie, who has also adapted the show with Lindsey Ferrentino.
Earlier this month McOnie announced his first season at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, including a London transfer for Broadway hit Shucked, and a revival of Lerner & Loewe’s Scottish Highlands classic Brigadoon, to be directed by and choreographed by McOnie.
McOnie is rehearsing that show during early summer for an August opening, leaving autumn open for new projects.
Music for The Artist has been written by Tony and Olivier Award winner Simon Hale (Girl From The North Country, Get Up Stand Up!).
The Artist’s creative team includes set and costume designs by Tony and Olivier Award winner Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall Parts I & II, Red, Disney’s Frozen), Musical Direction by Isaac McCullough, lighting by Zoe Spurr (Good, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World), sound by Tony and Olivier Award winner Simon Baker (Matilda The Musical, A Christmas Carol), video by Ash J Woodward (The 47th, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), puppetry by Maia Kirkman-Richards (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), casting by Will Burton and the Associate Director/Choreographer is Ebony Molina.
The Artist has enjoyed continued West End buzz since it premiered in Plymouth – so we have everything crossed for a London life for the show.
Sign-up for our alerts to be the first to know about any future productions of The Artist.
Related News
Cats Reviews: Drew McOnie’s Regent’s Park revival casts a magical spell
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS brings the Jellicle Ball to Regent’s Park: see the brand-new production images now
Full casting announced for upcoming CATS UK tour, following Regent’s Park Open Air run
First look: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS in rehearsals for revival at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Latest News
Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the London Coliseum for Valentine’s Day 2027
Helen of Troy never got to tell her side. Watch the trailer for the play that does
After a sell-out world tour, The Choir of Man returns to the West End this Christmas
