Full Cast Announced for A Little Night Music

Michelle Gomez and Michael D. Xavier will make their Royal Exchange Theatre debuts in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, as part of the venue’s landmark 50th anniversary season. Artistic Director Selina Cartmell will direct the production, which runs from 5 December 2026 until 30 January 2027.

The Royal Exchange Theatre has announced the full cast for their upcoming revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, as part of its 50th anniversary season, A Homecoming. Leading the company is Scottish actress Michelle Gomez as Desiree Armfeldt, alongside award-winning actor Michael D. Xavier as Fredrik Egerman. Both actors make their Royal Exchange debuts in the musical.

On the news, Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, who also directs the production, said:

‘Ahead of the Royal Exchange’s 50th anniversary next week, it feels hugely special to announce the cast and creatives for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, a musical which also came to life over 50 years ago. For many of us in theatre, Sondheim is a familiar and much-loved place to return to and his genre defining work continues to surprise, delight and enthrall audiences to this day, much like the Royal Exchange has done across 400 productions since its foundation in 1976.
I can’t think of a more fitting way to end this milestone year than by welcoming artistic collaborators and friends, both old and new, to create this breathtaking musical comedy for our truly unique and beloved theatre space.’

The creative team will include Matthew Malone as Music Supervisor, Music Director and Orchestrator, returning for a second time this season following Fun Home, alongside designer Francis O’Connor; and Tony and Olivier Award-winning Mark Henderson as lighting designer. Arlene Phillips will make her Royal Exchange debut as choreographer.

The cast of A Little Night Music

Sondheim’s A Little Night Music is a life-affirming fairy tale for adults, in which mismatched couples waltz through a series of self-delusions in search of a happy ending, set to the composers magical songs, including his bittersweet masterpiece ‘Send in the Clowns.’

The cast has been announced for the Royal Exchange’s upcoming anniversary production and will include:

Michelle Gomez (Doctor Who, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Desiree Armfeldt.
Two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier (Sunset Boulevard, Prince of Broadway) as Fredrik Egerman
Gillian Bevan (Cymbeline, Hamlet) as Madame Armfeldt
Marley Fenton (Hadestown, Hamilton) as Henrik Egerman
Liv Andrusier (Martin Guerre, Fiddler on the Roof’)as Anne Egerman
Oliver Thornton (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Rocky Horror Show) as Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm
WhatsOnStage Award winner Courtney Bowman (Legally Blonde, SIX) as Petra
Laura Harrison (Wicked, Sunset Boulevard) as Countess Charlotte Malcolm
Kaya Farrugia (KinkyBoots, There’s No Place Like Home) as Fredrika Armfeldt.

The company also includes Esme Laudat, Carolina Alegria (making her professional debut), Michael Robert-Lowe, Sam Kipling and Monique Young, with David Ouch and Chloe Taylor completing the company.

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Main photo: Michelle Gomez, Michael D. Xavier, Courtney Bowman and Marley Fenton