A brand new musical, based on a children’s book by comedian and author David Baddiel, is due to have its world premier at Chester’s Storyhouse this weekend.
Adapted from his best-selling story The Parent Trap, the stage show includes music and additional lyrics by composer Dan Gillespie Sells.
It will receive its world premiere at Storyhouse on Saturday 15th February 2025, where it will run for two weeks before heading off on its national tour.
Cast
Max Bispham, Osian Salter, Eli Sowden-Mehta and Louis Wilkins will share the role of Barry.
Meanwhile Rebecca McKinnis will play Susan and Rakesh Boury will play Geoff.
Completing the cast are Kazmin Borrer, Elliot Broadfoot, Natasha Cayabyab, Dylan Collymore, Sarah McFarlane, Joshian Angelo Omaña, Alan Vicary, Ralph Birthwell, Althea Burey, Elliot Copeland, Jessica Daugirda, Sophia Lewis and Robbie Scott.
Plot
The play follows 11-year-old Barry Bennett, who hates his name. It’s top of 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”.
Barry 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.
Crew
David Baddiel’s books have achieved phenomenal success and have been translated into 30 languages. His children’s books have won some of children’s literature’s highest accolades – including the inaugural Laugh Out Loud Award, for The Parent Agency.
Dan Gillespie Sells, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of The Feeling, has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim for his work in musical theatre. He composed the music for hit West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – which received multiple award nominations, toured internationally and was adapted in to a film.
Joining David and Dan on The Parent Agency’s creative team are director Tim Jackson, designer Jon Bausor, choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, costume designer Sarah Mercadé, lighting designer Zoe Spurr, assistant director Francesca Hsieh, music supervisor Nick Finlow, music director Ellen Campbell, sound designer Paul Gatehouse, associate sound designer Richard Jones, make-up designer Craig Forrest-Thomas, casting director Olivia Laydon and children’s casting by Amy Beadel.
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