Little Women -

A brand-new York Theatre Royal production of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel Little Women will be heading up the theatre’s exciting autumn season - with a special fundraising gala on 02 Oct going on sale today (26 June at 1pm.)

On the Main House stage from 21 Sep to 12 Oct, Little Women tells the story of headstrong Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth and Amy as they grow up in New England during the American Civil War. Adapted by Anne-Marie Casey, the production will offer a fresh new take on the timeless coming-of-age classic.

Directed by Juliet Forster (Around the World In 80 Days-ish!, Sovereign, A View from the Bridge, Sense and Sensibility) this beautiful retelling is set to be a theatrical experience for the whole family to enjoy.

Juliet Forster, Creative Director at York Theatre Royal said, “We are thrilled to be staging an adaptation of such a much-loved classic. Louisa May Alcott’s story of Jo and her sisters finding their way in the world is so relatable to modern audiences and Anne-Marie Casey’s brilliant adaptation really brings to life the wonderful characters. We have such a great cast lined up and I can’t wait to get started later this year! ”

Leading the cast as Jo March will be Freya Parks, who has recently starred in the BBC television series This Town and the ITV detective drama Grace. Ainy Medina will play Meg, whose recent credits include ITV’s Archie, and Helen Chong (Cassie and the Lights) as Amy. Beth will be played by Laura Soper, who has recently toured with Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of) and has been in previous YTR productions Swallows and Amazons and Hetty Feather.

Playing Marmee, local actress Kate Hampson will also return to YTR following her performance in the community production The Coppergate Woman. Other stage roles include Mother/Mrs Perks in The Railway Children at Hull Truck Theatre. Her TV appearances include ITV’s The Bay.

Nikhil Singh Rai also joins the cast as Laurie (with recent credits including the movie The Collaborator) and Aunt March will be played by Caroline Gruber (Doctors, Mr Bates vs The Post Office), who has previously been seen on the YTR stage in The Machine Stops.

The show is presented in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre and by arrangement with Lee Dean, and is designed by Ruari Murchison, with casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG,

A special fundraising gala performance will take place on Oct 2 with tickets going on sale at 1pm on 26 June. This performance will raise vital funds for York Theatre Royal’s continued work as a producing theatre and for the development of future community projects.

The show is sponsored by No. 1 by GuestHouse, Rollits LLP, Ware & Kay Solicitors and BHP LLP.

Members priority booking for the rest of the performances (21 Sep – 12 Oct) will open on Wed 03 July with tickets going on general sale on Mon 08 July at 1pm.

Tickets will be available from yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or through York Theatre Royal’s Box Office 01904 623568.