Cast announced for concert version of Stiles & Drewe’s Just So at The Watermill Theatre

Casting has been announced for a concert version of Stiles & Drewe’s Just So at The Watermill Theatre.

The semi-staged production will play between 30 July and 4 September this summer as part of the Newbury venue’s 2021 summer season.

The Just So company includes two 2021 graduates, both making their professional debuts at the Watermill: Laura Andresen Guimarães as ‘Zebra’ and Kemi Clarke as ‘Leopard’.

They’re joined by Alexander Bean as ‘Rhino’, Nathanael Campbell as ‘Eldest Magician’, Dan de Cruz as ‘Parsee Man / Jaguar / Show MD’, Eleanor Kane as ‘Elephant Child’, Emma Lucia as ‘Kolokolo Bird’, Pete Mooney as ‘Kangaroo / Cooking Stove’ and Emma Jane Morton as ‘Giraffe / Yellow Dingo Dog’.

The family musical blends five of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So stories to tell a tale of courage, friendship and the power of an individual to make a difference.

At the ‘Time of the Very Beginnings’ the land is bustling with beasts, the sky is filled with birds and the ocean is teeming with fish. But there is one small problem: all the animals look the same!

The wise ‘Eldest Magician’ sends them out into the world to find their individuality. Everything is just so until Pau Amma the Crab starts playing with the ocean, causing terrible floods that put the other animals in danger. The brave Elephant’s Child embarks on a journey to challenge and overcome Pau Amma, but can she do it alone?

This wondrous family musical blends five of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So stories to tell a tale of courage, friendship and the power of an individual to make a difference.

For more information and tickets visit watermill.org.uk

Director Abigail Pickard Price said: “Welcoming audiences back to The Watermill this summer after such a time is a true delight and it is a particular treat to be able to invite the younger members of our community and families back to the theatre for Just So.”

“Just So has a historic connection to The Watermill where it was first performed in 1989. With its message about the power of individuality and the importance of coming together as part of a wider community, it feels a perfect fit for this summer. We have an incredible team both on and off stage to bring this brand-new concert performance to life and we cannot wait to take audiences on a journey from the banks of the River Lambourn to the green and greasy Limpopo River!”

Just So is directed by Abigail Pickard Price, set and costume design by Katie Lias, choreography by Chi-San Howard, lighting design by Harry Armytage, sound design by Leigh Davies with Tarek Merchant as Musical Director.

Picture: Just So cast members in rehearsals. The Watermill Theatre 2021.

About the author: Josh Darvill

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.