Catherine Tate leads cast of Assassins at the Menier

Dom O'Hanlon
Dom O'Hanlon

Initial casting has been announced for Jamie Lloyd's production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's musical Assassins which runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark, south London from 21 November 2014 to 7 March 2015, with an official opening on 1 December 2014.

Comedian Catherine Tate will feature in the ensemble cast in the role of Sarah Jane Moore. She will only star in the show from 21 November to 8 February, with a replacement to be announced.

Tate will be joined in the production by Carly Bawden as Squeaky Fromme, Simon Lipkin as The Proprietor, Mike McShane as Samuel Byck, Andy Nyman as Charles Guiteau, and David Roberts as Leon Czolgosz, with further casting to be announced.

Sondheim and Weidman's 1990 musical Assassins originally opened off-Broadway and was originally presented in London at the Donmar Warehouse. This dark black comedy follows thirteen people who have tried to kill the president of the United States. Four have succeeded. These murderers and would-be murderers are generally dismissed as maniacs and misfits who have little in common with each other, and nothing in common with the rest of us, but are they simply just victims of the American Dream?

The production will feature design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Neil Austin, sound design by Gregory Clarke, musical supervision and direction by Alan Williams and hair & make-up design by Richard Mawbey.

Catherine Tate's recent theatre credits include 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Wyndhams), 'Seasons Greetings' (National Theatre), 'Under the Blue Sky' (Duke of York's), 'Some Girls' (Gielgud) and 'A Servant to Two Masters' (RSC, New Ambassadors and international tour). She is widely known for her TV comedy work, especially on 'The Catherine Tate Show'.

Carly Bawden's theatre credits include 'Dead Dog in a Suitcase', 'Tristan & Yseult' and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Kneehigh Theatre), Eliza Doolittle in 'My Fair Lady' (Sheffield Crucible), and 'Pippin' (Menier Chocolate Factory).

Simon Lipkin recently starred in the West End premiere of 'I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical' at the Palladium. Previous London credits include 'Rock of Ages' at the Shaftesbury and Nicky and Trekkie in 'Avenue Q' at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Mike McShane's theatre credits include 'Little Shop of Horrors' at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Duke of York's and Ambassadors, 'La Cage aux Folles' (Broadway), and 'Tailor-Made Man' at the Arts Theatre.

Andy Nyman returns to the Menier after starring in 'Abigail's Party' and 'Terrible Advice'. Other theatre credits include 'Ghost Stories' at the Lyric Hammersmith and Duke of York's.

David Roberts's previous theatre credits includes 'Ghost The Musical' (National Tour), 'Mamma Mia!' (international tour) and 'Aspects of Love' at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Tickets for Assassins went on general sale today, 8 September 2014.

Originally published on

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