The stage musical adaptation of Markus Zusak’s much-loved novel The Book Thief will follow its well-received Bolton Octagon world premiere run by playing Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre and Leicester’s Curve Theatre this autumn.
Featuring a libretto by award-winning author Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper) and Timothy Allen McDonald (adaptor of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and James and the Giant Peach), and music and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson (Olaf’s Frozen Adventure), the musical will play the Belgrade Theatre from 11-16 September 2023 before playing the Curve Theatre from 28 September until 14 October.
Commenting on the production Picoult and McDonald said: “It was an honour to adapt Markus Zusak’s historical novel, The Book Thief, as a musical, and we are thrilled to present it in Leicester and Coventry. In a time when history seems intent on repeating itself – when hate crimes throw a spotlight on the differences between us; when words are being used to harm, rather than heal; when lies are being used to fuel a war – we feel that this story is more relevant and powerful than ever. It is our hope that this beautiful, moving show reminds the audience that the past has a nasty habit of not staying in the past – and that it is up to us to change that.”
The author of the novel, Zusak added: “A writer always worries about an adaptation of their work, but The Book Thief musical has been a revelation and a joy. Everyone involved has respected the novel beyond my expectations, and I’ve loved watching it grow. Most importantly, when I saw it for the first time, I knew that it felt like the book, which is the hardest thing to achieve. The characters truly are the characters I loved when I was writing it all those years ago, and the songs are just amazing. I can’t wait to see it in its newest incarnation later this year.”
Directed by the Octagon’s artistic director Lotte Wakeham, The Book Thief features choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves with musical direction, musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Matthew Malone, and set and costume design by Good Teeth.
The production also features lighting design by Nic Farman, sound design by Andy Graham, video design by Dick Straker, puppet design by Sam Wilde, with casting by Abby Galvin for Jessica Ronane Casting and production management by Andy Fox and Lee Batty for Setting Line Production Management.
Announcing the Coventry and Leicester seasons, DEM Productions’ Ramin Sabi and Emily Lunnon said: “The Book Thief is a gift of a show for us at DEM, bringing together our longstanding commitment to producing new musical theatre and the opportunity to tell one of modern literature’s most beloved stories through this unique artform. We’re delighted to be sharing this spine-tingling score, exquisite storytelling, and the work of this sensational creative team with audiences in Coventry and Leicester at this early stage in the life of what we hope will become a wonderful addition to the 21st century musical canon.”
Angela Thomas