Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester has announced casting for its revival of Mel Brooks’ musical Young Frankenstein.
Ore Oduba (Strictly Come Dancing, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Rocky Horror Show) is set to star as Dr Frederick Frankenstein in the show.
The cast also features Jessica Martin (Spitting Image, Doctor Who) as Frau Blücher, Rhiannon Chesterman (I Wish You Well, West End) as Elizabeth Benning, Pete Gallagher (Fisherman’s Friends The Musical, UK tour/Toronto) as The Monster, Curtis Patrick (Pretty Woman UK Tour) as Igor, Simeon Truby (Wicked, West End) as Inspector Hans Kemp/Harold the Hermit and Julie Yammanee (Jerry’s Girls, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Inga.
The cast is completed by Belle Kizzy Green (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, UK Tour), Robin Kent (Chicago, UK Tour), Bryan Mottram (Back To The Future The Musical, West End), Alanna Panditaratne (Peter Pan, Victoria Theatre Halifax), Oliver Ramsdale (Chicago, UK Tour), Hakeem Tinubu (Singin’ in the Rain, International Tour), Patricia Wilkins (Back To The Future The Musical, West End) and Jessica Wright (42nd Street, Sadler’s Wells/UK Tour/Toronto).
Young Frankenstein The Musical is playing the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 10 October to 30 November 2025.
The show has a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, orchestrations by Doug Besterman & Mark Cumberland and original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.
This production will have direction and choreography by Nick Winston (Bonnie & Clyde, Midnight Cowboy), with musical direction and co-musical supervision by Francesca Warren, set design by Sophia Pardon, orchestration and co-musical supervision by Charlie Ingles, sound design by Ben Harrison, lighting design by Aaron J Dootson, video and projection design by Matt Powell, costume design by Lorraine Parry, wigs and make-up design by Nicola Thorp, associate choreography by Lauren Kate Hampton and casting by Jim Arnold.
Adapted by Mel Brooks from his 1974 film starring Gene Wilder, Young Frankenstein tells the story of the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) who inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. “It’s alive!” he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.
Ore Oduba said in a statement: “What a dream come true. Mel Brooks is a genius of comedy and Young Frankenstein is as iconic a title as it gets. I watched the most recent production in the West End through tears of laughter! Can’t wait to start ‘Putting on the Ritz’ with our talented cast, crew and creatives. And in such a renowned venue as the Hope Mill Theatre, it’s going to be an unforgettable 8 weeks in Manchester.”
More Mel Brooks shows
Other Mel Brooks shows coming soon include the Menier Chocolate Factory’s acclaimed revival of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, which is playing the West End’s Garrick Theatre from 30 August 2025.
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