The new musical based on best-selling book The Parent Agency by comedian and author David Baddiel is premiering in Chester in February 2025.
The show will run at Storyhouse Chester for two weeks, from 15 February to 2 March 2025.
The Parent Agency – A New Family Musical boasts music and additional lyrics by Dan Gillespie Sells (The Feeling, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), and is directed by Tim Jackson (Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York, Merrily We Roll Along).
The show was originally announced back in March 2023, with Nadia Fall set to direct.
The original book by David Baddiel has sold over 355,000 copies worldwide, and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Joining Tim Jackson in the creative team are choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (SIX, Dear Evan Hansen), costume designer Sarah Mercadé (Jesus Christ Superstar, 101 Dalmatians, The SpongeBob Musical), lighting designer Zoe Spurr (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Bonnie & Clyde) and Assistant Director Francesca Hsieh (VANYA), with casting by Jill Green CDG and Amy Beadel CDG.
In the show, eleven-year-old Barry Bennett hates his name. In fact, it’s number one on the list of things he blames his parents (Susan and Geoff) for along with “being boring, never buying him cool stuff, being tired all the time and being too strict”. So, he makes a wish for a better mum and dad and finds himself whisked away to Youngdon in the ‘United Kid-dom’, an alternate universe where kids get to pick out their perfect parents with the assistance of the staff of the eponymous Parent Agency.
For Barry, this seems like a dream come true, although he soon learns that choosing a new mum and dad isn’t as simple as it sounds…
Writer David Baddiel said in a statement: “I’m so happy that my first children’s book The Parent Agency is going to be made into a musical. It’s a book that kids tell me they love, including now young adults who first read it years ago. It takes a very real child on a very magical journey that seems to really suit big musical moments – and these have been brilliantly provided by the genius that is Dan Gillespie Sells, who’s been a total joy to work with.”
Songwriter Dan Gillespie Sells said: “I’m so excited to be working with David Baddiel on this brand new musical, I’ve always been a fan of his and I can’t wait to get in to the rehearsal room alongside a wonderful creative team to help bring this story to life.”
Director Tim Jackson said: “There’s something magical about taking a story that kids and families already love and finding new ways to tell it on stage. I’m looking forward to working alongside David and Dan to turn this wonderful world into a theatrical experience that feels fresh and playful for audiences in Chester and beyond”.
The show is produced by John Berry and Anthony Lilley of Scenario Two.
There’s no current news of a West End transfer for the show.
More about The Parent Agency – A New Family Musical
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