Photo Flash: Charing Cross Theatre presents THE BRAILLE LEGACY

The world première of a major new musical, "The Braille Legacy", is the thrilling, true, inspirational and epic story of Louis Braille, a young blind boy who wanted the same chance in life as those who see and ended up improving the lives of millions of blind people around the world.

It is directed by acclaimed director Thom Southerland ("Ragtime", "Titanic", "Grey Gardens", "Death Takes A Holiday") and will première at Charing Cross Theatre (Artistic Director Thom Southerland, Managing Director Steven M. Levy) from Monday 10 April to Saturday 24 June.

Joining previously announced Olivier Award nominated Jérôme Pradon (West End credits include the UK premiere of the musical "Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", Guillaume in "Martin Guerre", Chris in "Miss Saigon", Javert in "Les Miserables", and Judas in the Emmy-winning video of "Jesus Christ Superstar") are:

Jason Broderick ("Godspell" UK tour, "Anna Nicole - The Opera" Royal Opera House); Tate-Eliot Drew ("My Lands Shore" Ye Olde Rose N Crown Theatre); Will Haswell ("Jersey Boys" West End, Pinocchio in 'Shrek the Musical" UK tour); Lottie Henshall ("Doctors" BBC1); Sarah-Marie Maxwell ("She Loves Me" Menier Chocolate Factory, "Top Hat" UK tour); Matthew McDonald ("Death Takes a Holiday" Charing Cross Theatre, "Allegro" Southwark Playhouse); Kate Milner-Evans ("Showboat" West End, Carlotta in "The Phantom of the Opera"); Janet Mooney(West End includes "Les Miserables" and "Love Never Dies"); Ceili O'Connor ("Grand Hotel" Southwark Playhouse, "Evita" UK tour); Michael Remick (West End includes "Dirty Dancing" and "The Sound of Music"); Ashley Stillburn (Corrado in "Death Takes A Holiday" Charing Cross Theatre, "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Miserables" West End); Jack Wolfe (is making his professional stage debut as Louis Braille); and a child cast featuring Guillermo Bedward, Thomas Brown, Tallulah Byrne, Beau Cripps, Ilan Galkoff, Honey Harrison-Maw, Eliz Hassan, Megan Haynes, Zachary Loonie, Mimi Slinger, Ophir Fifi Tal, William Thompson.

"The Braille Legacy" is the story of a revolution and an heroic fight for independence, with the themes of difference, freedom, hope and love and the triumph of human values over adversity.

In Paris in the 19th century, blind people were victims of profound discrimination. Louis Braille, a bright young mind with a mad dream, arrives at the Royal Institute of Blind Youth, searching for the same chance as everyone else: to be free and independent. But he soon discovers that people and things aren't always what they first seem. By sheer determination and courage he stumbles upon something revolutionary: a simple idea, a genius invention, a legacy. Two hundred years ago, Louis Braille changed the world by inventing the tactile system of communication, the Braille alphabet, liberating the "People of the Night" and introducing literacy, knowledge and culture to a people who were otherwise trapped. It was their journey into the light.

"The Braille Legacy" has an original French Book and Lyrics by Sébastien Lancrenon, Music by Jean-Baptiste Saudray, with an English translation by Ranjit Bolt. Music Supervision and Orchestrations are by Simon Lee.

The full creative team is:
Director: Thom Southerland, Music Supervision and Orchestrations: Simon Lee, Musical Director Toby Higgins, Choreographer Lee Proud, Set Designer: Tim Shortall, Lighting Designer Tim Lutkin, Costume Designer: Jonathan Lipman, Sound Designer: AnDrew Johnson, Casting: Stephen Crockett at Grindrod Casting, Children's Casting: Jo Hawes, Music Preparation: Simone Manfredini, Associate Director Rupert Hands.

Producers: The Braille Legacy Ltd by arrangement with Colbert Entertainment Ltd
Associate Producer: Kayla Hain
General Management: Charing Cross Theatre Productions Ltd. Steven M. Levy

Sébastien Lancrenon (original idea, French Book & Lyrics) is a veteran in the world of classical music. He began his career as a professional solo singer at an early age. Until recently he was Director of Radio Classique (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy Group) in France. Sébastien left Radio Classique in order to focus on developing "The Braille Legacy" musical and now lives in London.

Jean-Baptiste Saudray (Music) studied piano from the age of five at the Schola Cantorum, where he won a number of awards. Jean-Baptiste has composed for and worked with various International Artists, including Ray Charles, Jean-Michel Jarre, The Gypsy Kings and David Guetta.

Ranjit Bolt (English translation) is one of Britain's leading adaptors and translators. His work includes adaptations of classics such as "Le Misanthrope" and "Tartuffe" by Molière and various works by La Fontaine, Corneille, Scribe... and has been
produced to great acclaim at the Old Vic, National Theatre and by the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 2002 he was awarded an OBE for his services to literature as a translator.

Simon Lee (Music Supervision & Orchestrations ) has a wealth of experience in musical supervision and orchestrations in both the West End and Broadway as well as in film, spending his career working closely with Andrew Lloyd Webber on
musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar and the film, The Phantom of the Opera.

Thom Southerland (Director) is Artistic Director at Charing Cross Theatre. His opening season of major musicals included the European première of Maury Yeston's "Death Takes A Holiday", the return of his acclaimed multi award-winning "Titanic" and "Ragtime" (nominated for a record 14 Off West End awards). He was longlisted Best Newcomer in the 2011 Evening Standard Awards for "Parade". He was named Best Director at the 2011 The Offies for "Me And Juliet" at the Finborough. He directed "Allegro", "Grey Gardens", "Grand Hotel", "Titanic", "Victor/Victoria", "Mack & Mabel" and "Parade" (Southwark Playhouse); "The Smallest Show on Earth" (Mercury Theatre, Colchester & tour); Jerry Herman's "The Grand Tour" (Finborough); "The Mikado" (Charing Cross Theatre); "Daisy Pulls It Off", Irving Berlin's "Call Me Madam!" (Upstairs At The Gatehouse); the European première of "I Sing!", "Divorce Me, Darling!", "Annie Get Your Gun", "The Pajama Game" and sold-out all-male adaptations of Gilbert and Sullivan's "HMS Pinafore" and "The Mikado" (Union); "Noël and Gertie" (Cockpit); the European première of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (Landor); the European première of "State Fair" (Finborough & transfer to Trafalgar Studios).

"The Braille Legacy" is supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People and L'Occitane, who will sponsor the audio-described performances.

Photos by Scott Rylander

To post a comment, you must register and login.