Broadway musical spotlights role of local theatres

A Broadway musical that originated at two regional theatres and saw a successful West End run is proving how "vital" local productions are, theatre bosses have said.

Jo Gordon, from the Royal & Derngate Northampton, said the transfer of the Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) hit was a "tremendous achievement".

It was first performed as The Season at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, and at The Royal and Derngate in November 2018, before it was later renamed.

Douglas Rintoul, from the New Wolsey, said local theatres played a "crucial role in developing new work".

Six years ago, the show - starring Alex Cardall and Tori Allen-Martin - was a Made In Northampton production, co-produced with New Wolsey Theatre, written by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan and directed by Tim Jackson.

At the time Mr Barne and Mr Buchan said they were "proud and happy" that its debut would be in Ipswich and Northampton.

"Both theatres have been incredibly supportive and enthusiastic throughout the development process," they said.

The romantic comedy is set during Christmas Eve when Dougal has travelled from Northampton to New York for his father's wedding.

At JFK Airport, he is greeted by Robin, where they begin a wild weekend in the "city that never sleeps".

It was next performed at The Kiln Theatre in London in 2023 and then transferred to the West End's Criterion Theatre, where it ran from April to August 2024.

It currently stars Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty, at the Longacre Theatre, in New York.

Ms Gordon, chief executive of the Royal and Derngate, said: "It is a tremendous achievement to see our production reach Broadway.

"This success underlines how vital regional theatres are as incubators of new work and new talent, and it demonstrates the national – and now international – impact of that commitment."

She said the transfer helped raise the theatre's profile and "provides a very modest but welcome benefit back to the organisation, strengthening our ability to continue to prioritise ambitious new work in our artistic choices for the Made in Northampton seasons".

Chief executive and artistic director Mr Rintoul said it was a "powerful reminder of the crucial role regional subsidised theatres play in developing new work".

"Being rooted in our communities means new material is first tested with real, diverse local audiences - providing honest insight into how accessible and resonant the work truly is.

"When regional theatres are properly resourced, they become vital launchpads for ambitious, original work - benefiting artists, audiences, and the wider industry," he added.

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