2020 is set to be a great year for theatre in the West End, with several hit musicals such as Frozen, Be More Chill and Pretty Woman crossing the pond from Broadway to entice and excite audiences.
But looking beyond the bright lights of Broadway, we’re also in for a treat as the spectacular, much anticipated The Prince of Egypt opens in London this February for a limited 32-week engagement.
Over 20 years since the iconic animated classic graced our screens, fans can hardly contain their excitement as a newly improved musical adaptation of the hit film wings its way to the West End stage.
After earlier showings at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and in Denmark, this significantly revised version is getting its first outing in London., and we’ve got all the information you need to know about the show before it opens at the Dominion Theatre.
Is the musical based on The Prince of Egypt film?
In short; yes.
The timeless 1998 DreamWorks Animation classic is not only highly acclaimed, but is probably remembered by most as one of the most popular musical films outside of the Disney franchise, so fans will be thrilled to know it’s an adaptation of this that is coming to London.
And not only is it based on the film, but the duo responsible for the screenplay and songs in the original, Philip LaZebnik and Stephen Schwartz, have been reunited by DreamWorks Theatricals to bring this classic to the stage.
What is The Prince of Egypt about?
(Image: Kevin Depinet / DWA LLC)
Set in Egypt, this retelling of the Book of Exodus follows the story of two men – Moses and Ramses – who were raised as brothers in a kingdom of privilege and suddenly find themselves divided by a secret past.
As one goes on to rule as Pharaoh, the other discovers his roots as a Jewish slave and must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.
Will The Prince of Egypt contain songs from the film?
(Image: The Prince of Egypt Musical)
The show will contain five songs from the animated film including, of course, the much loved When You Believe, made famous to the masses by the Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey duet, which went on to become a global hit.
Alongside those, we’ll also be treated to ten new songs written especially for the show by acclaimed composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who was also responsible for penning the original songs from the film.
With the man responsible for Wicked, Godspell, Pippin and many others at the helm, you know you’re in safe hands.
Who is in The Prince of Egypt cast?
(Image: Darren Bell / DWA LLC)
Some of the best talent the West End has to offer will be taking to the stage to bring this musical to life.
Luke Brady (Twelfth Night, Sweeney Todd) will play Moses, opposite Liam Tamne (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables) as new pharaoh Ramses.
Hamilton star Christine Allado shall be playing Moses’ wife Tzipporah, with Alexia Khadime (Wicked, Les Miserables) playing his sister, Miriam.
Joining these on stage will be a cast of over 30 other performers, including Joe Dixon as Seti, Debbie Kurup as Queen Tuya, Gary Wilmot as Jethro, Adam Pearce as Hotep, Tanisha Spring as Nefertari and Silas Wyatt-Barke as Aaron.
Completing the cast are Simbi Akande, Casey Al-Shaqsy, Joe Atkinson, Danny Becker, Felipe Bejarano, Pàje Campbell, Mercedesz Csampai, Adam Filipe, Soophia Foroughi, Natalie Green, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Rachael Ireson, Kalene Jeans, Christian Knight, Jessica Lee, Oliver Lidert, Jay Marsh, Scott Maurice, Carly Miles, Sam Oladeinde, Alice Readie, Christopher Short, Ricardo Walker, Danny Williams, Niko Wirachman and Sasha Woodward.
As well as a strong cast, the behind-the scenes team is equally as impressive. The show is directed by Scott Schwartz, with choreography by Sean Cheesman; set designs by Kevin Depinet; costume designs by Ann Hould-Ward; lighting design by Mike Billings; sound design by Gareth Owen; projection designs by Jon Driscoll; illusion designs by Chris Fisher; orchestrations by August Eriksmoen; musical supervision and arrangements by Dominick Amendum and musical direction by Dave Rose.
When is The Prince of Egypt musical running?
The Prince of Egypt will run for 32 weeks at the Dominion Theatre, with previews beginning February 5 and its official West End premiere on February 25.
Ticket prices start from £19.50 and are available from the officials website, theatre Box Office and other ticket retailers.
Tickets are already selling fast, so make sure you get yours now so you don’t miss out on what is likely to be one of the hit shows of the year.
For more information about the show, such as performance schedule and details concerning access performances, please visit their official website: The Prince Of Egypt Musical.
