The full cast has been announced for Austenland, a brand-new musical based on Shannon Hale’s novel, set to make its world premiere with two concert performances at London’s Savoy Theatre on Monday, 24 March 2025
Joining the previously announced Lucie Jones (Les Miserables, Wicked) as Jane Hayes will be Stephenson Ardern-Sodje (Passing Strange, Young Vic) as Captain East, Laura Baldwin (Waitress, Adelphi Theatre) as Miss Heartwright, Oli Higginson (The Last Five Years, Southwark Playhouse & Garrick Theatre) as Nobley, and George Ioannides (Guys and Dolls, Bridge Theatre) as Hot Darcy/Colonel Andrews.
Joining the previously announced Lucie Jones (Les Miserables, Wicked) as Jane Hayes will be Cassidy Janson (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre) as Aunt Carolyn/Wattlesbrook, Stephenson Ardern-Sodje (Passing Strange, Young Vic) as Captain East, Laura Baldwin (Waitress) as Miss Heartwright, Oli Higginson (The Last Five Years) as Nobley, and George Ioannides (Guys and Dolls) as Hot Darcy/Colonel Andrews, Idriss Kargbo (I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Musical) as Manly, Daniel Krikler (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) as Martin, and Alex Young (Stranger Things: The First Shadow) as Elizabeth Charming.
Completing the ensemble are Ashley Gilmour (My Fair Lady, Curve Theatre), Lily Laight (The Artist, Theatre Royal Plymouth), Ying Ue Li (My Fair Lady, Curve Theatre), Amonik Melaco (Heathers The Musical, The Other Place), Nathan Ryles (Burlesque, Manchester Opera House), and Hollie Jane Stephens (Guys and Dolls, Bridge Theatre).
Austenland is the latest work from the creative team behind The Book Thief and Between the Lines. With a book by best-selling author Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper, Small Great Things) and Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, James and the Giant Peach), the musical features music and lyrics by Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel (Apple TV’s Central Park, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure).
The story follows Jane Hayes, an unlucky-in-love, Austen-obsessed woman who embarks on a dream vacation to Austenland, an immersive Regency-era experience promising romance and intrigue. But beneath the corsets and cravats, not everything is as it seems. As Jane navigates her stay, she must determine whether love is scripted—or if she can find her own unscripted happily ever after.
Video: Watch Lucie Jones sing “Unmatched” from Austenland
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical; Barnum), the creative team also includes choreography by Joanna Goodwin; musical supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Matthew Malone; musical direction by Natalie Pound; set and costume design by Polly Sullivan; lighting design by Jack Weir; and sound design by Sound Quiet Time.
Austenland is produced by Writers’ Cage and managed by Deus Ex Machina Productions, whose previous credits include The Book Thief, RIDE, A Sherlock Carol, and Spring Awakening.
The show also had a January 2024 industry reading in New York, starring Arielle Jacobs (Here Lies Love).
Austenland in Concert is playing at the Savoy Theatre on 24 March 2025, at 3pm and 7.30pm.
Book tickets to Austenland at the Savoy Theatre in London
Related News
Full cast announced for the UK premiere of Jane Eyre musical in London
Charlie Burn and Ashley Gilmour to lead cast of Jane Eyre musical in London premiere
‘A story about Africa, rooted in culture and generational trauma, was so important to bring to the West End’: Idriss Kargbo on the true story of William Kamkwamba
Christina Aguilera reveals the three rising stars who’ll share Ali Rose in Burlesque The Musical
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
