Rose Ayling-Ellis among cast for 'Private Jones' at Southwark Playhouse Elephant

This coming-of-age story, set during the First World War and written and directed by Marshall Pailet, features a cast of hearing, hard-of-hearing, and deaf performers.

Summary

• Private Jones is set during WW1 and follows one man's journey after the loss of his hearing
• BAFTA winner Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE stars
• Performances begin at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 14 December

Casting has been revealed for new musical Private Jones, which opens at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 14 December, running through 30 January 2027.

This coming-of-age story, set during the First World War and written and directed by Marshall Pailet, features a cast of hearing, hard-of-hearing, and deaf performers, and follows one man's journey after the loss of his hearing. The production weaves together sign language, live captioning, a Foley soundscape, and an original score.

Performers include BAFTA winner, presenter and children’s author Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE as The Storyteller, Ffion Haf as Gwenolyn/Evans, Nadeem Islam as Henry & Others, Bronwyn James as King & Others, George Karanja as Swing, Luke McCall as Father & Others, Lili Mohammad as Ensemble, Thea Munoz-Buirski as Ensemble, Katie Louise Prichard as Swing/ Pit Singer, James Spence as Gomer Jones, Jacob Ethan Tanner as Alwyn & Others, and Jacob Young as Trystan & Others.

Ayling-Ellis said: “I’m delighted to be joining the cast of Private Jones and to work with Marshall Pailet, Misha Shields and Alexandria Wailes, alongside such a talented cast of deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people. It’s a special production and I’m excited to return to the stage in London.”

The creative team also includes choreography by Misha Shields, artistic sign language direction by Alexandria Wailes, music direction by Màth Roberts, set design by Anna Kelsey, lighting design by Tim Deiling, sound design by Yvonne Gilbert, video design by Ben Glover, associate direction by Alice Eklund, BSL direction by Daryl Jackson, Welsh language consultancy by Lowri Morgan, music consultancy by Myrna Conn, and dramaturgy by Jac Moore.

Check back for Private Jones tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Rose Ayling-Ellis. (Courtesy of production)