The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry to transfer to the West End in 2026
Multi-award-winning music artist Passenger (AKA Mike Rosenberg), who wrote the music and lyrics for the acclaimed new musical The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, has released the first single and music video from his new concept album, based on the hit show.
The single, ‘Song For The Countryside’, is performed by Passenger and West End star Jack Wolfe (Next to Normal), who played The Balladeer in the musical when it premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre earlier this summer.
The song accompanies Harold as he decides to set off on his pilgrimage. It is an awakening, a joyful realisation of life and spring and new beginnings. A remembering of the beauty that has always been right outside his front door.
It was also announced today that The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, based on Rachel Joyce’s best-selling novel, is set for a West End transfer in 2026. The dates of the transfer, and the West End theatre, are to be announced.
Song for the Countryside – First-listen
Directed by Katy Rudd (Ballet Shoes, The Ocean at the End of the Lane), The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has a book by Rachel Joyce, based on her novel. The adaptation is co-created by Rachel Joyce, Peter Darling and Katy Rudd.
In Chichester, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry starred Mark Addy (The Full Monty, The Rig, Game of Thrones) as Harold Fry, Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (Sunday in the Park with George, Hello, Dolly!, Flowers for Mrs Harris) as Maureen, and Olivier Award-nominee Jack Wolfe (Next to Normal) as The Balladeer. Casting for the West End is to be announced at a later date.
The show also starred Ralph Birtwell (The Band’s Visit), Amy Booth-Steel (Assassins), Tarinn Callender (Hamilton), Don Gallagher (Crazy for You), Jacqueline Hughes (Clueless The Musical), Nell Martin (Crazy for You), Anu Ogunmefun (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical), Ben Redfern (The Red Shoes), Sharon Rose (One Day The Musical), Timo Tatzber (Jesus Christ Superstar), and Madeleine Worrall (Tonight at 8.30).
The show is a funny, profound, deeply moving and uplifting new musical that centres on Harold Fry – grey, tired and lonely, who receives a letter from an old friend and heads out to post his reply. And just keeps walking, from South Devon to Berwick upon Tweed, leaving his bewildered wife Maureen behind.
Joining Katy Rudd in the creative team are designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, arranger and orchestrator Jeremy Holland-Smith, musical supervisor Phil Bateman, lighting designer Paule Constable, sound designers Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, musical director Chris Poon, and casting director Anna Cooper CDG.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is produced by Chris Harper Productions, the team behind The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, and the new production of Othello coming to the West End starring David Harewood, Toby Jones & Caitlin FitzGerald.
More about The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Related News
Nanny McPhee the Musical announces West End premiere for Summer 2027
Sinatra the Musical Reviews: standout performances but critics say script lacking depth
First look photos: Sinatra the Musical at the Aldwych Theatre in London
Sinatra The Musical starts West End performances tonight in London: watch the cast perform ‘New York, New York’
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
