Michelle Gomez and Michael D. Xavier to make Royal Exchange Theatre debut in A Little Night Music

Directed by the Royal Exchange’s Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, this major new production is the penultimate show in our landmark 50th anniversary season, A Homecoming.

Celebrated Scottish actress Michelle Gomez takes on the role of Desiree Armfeldt, the glamorous and mesmerising actress, alongside award-winning actor and two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier as Fredrik Egerman.

A life-affirming fairy tale for adults, A Little Night Music follows mismatched couples as they navigate love, longing and self-delusion in search of a happy ending. Sondheim’s glorious songs, including the bittersweet ‘Send in the Clowns’, bring wit and romance to this Tony Award-winning musical comedy.

Bringing Sondheim to the Exchange

Throughout A Homecoming, Selina Cartmell has brought together returning Royal Exchange artists and new collaborators. The creative team for A Little Night Music continues that spirit.

World-renowned, Manchester-born choreographer Arlene Phillips makes her Royal Exchange debut, while Matthew Malone returns following Fun Home as music supervisor, music director and orchestrator. They are joined by award-winning designer Francis O’Connor and Tony and Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Mark Henderson.

Selina Cartmell said:

“Ahead of the Royal Exchange’s 50th anniversary, it feels hugely special to announce the cast and creatives for A Little Night Music, a musical which also came to life over 50 years ago. For many of us in theatre, Sondheim is a familiar and much-loved place to return to and his genre defining work continues to surprise, delight and enthrall audiences to this day, much like the Royal Exchange has done across 400 productions since its foundation in 1976. I can’t think of a more fitting way to end this milestone year than by welcoming artistic collaborators and friends, both old and new, to create this breathtaking musical comedy for our truly unique and beloved theatre space”.”

Meet the company

Making her Royal Exchange debut as the glamorous and mesmerising actress Desiree Armfeldt is Michelle Gomez. Michelle is known for her BAFTA-nominated performance as Missy in Doctor Who, alongside memorable roles in Green Wing, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Doom Patrol and The Flight Attendant. Her stage credits include The Taming of the Shrew for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sleep with Me at the National Theatre and The Master Builder alongside Brian Cox.

Starring alongside her as Fredrik Egerman is two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier, also making his Royal Exchange debut. A star of the West End and Broadway, Michael performed opposite Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard and appeared in Hal Prince’s Prince of Broadway. His screen credits include Grantchester, Gentleman Jack and The Blacklist.

They are joined by:

• Gillian Bevan as Madame Armfeldt, returning to the Royal Exchange following Hamlet. Her credits include Cymbeline and Maydays for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Marley Fenton (Hadestown, Hamilton) as Henrik Egerman.
• Liv Andrusier (Fiddler on the Roof, Ride) as Anne Egerman.
• Oliver Thornton (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Rocky Horror Show) as Count Carl-Magnus Malcom.
• WhatsOnStage Award-winner Courtney Bowman (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) as Petra.
• Laura Harrison (Wicked, Sunset Boulevard) as Countess Charlotte Malcolm.
• Kaya Farrugia (Kinky Boots, There’s No Place Like Home) as Fredrika Armfeldt.
• Esme Laudat (Just for One Day, Legally Blonde) as Mrs Anderssen.
• Carolina Alegria, making her professional debut as Mrs Nordstrom.
• Michael Robert-Lowe (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats) as Mr Lindquist.
• Sam Kipling (Lady Chatterley’s Lover, The Astonishing Adventures of Pinocchio) as Mr Erlanson.
• Monique Young (Extraordinary Women, Barnum) as Mrs Segstrom.

Completing the company are David Ouch (Death Note, Titanique) and Chloe Taylor (The Phantom of the Opera, Blood Brothers) as Ensemble.

Creative and production team

The production is directed by Royal Exchange Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, with celebrated, Manchester-born choreographer Arlene Phillips making her Royal Exchange debut. Matthew Malone returns following Fun Home as music supervisor, music director and orchestrator, alongside award-winning designer Francis O’Connor, Tony and Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Mark Henderson and sound designer Tom Marshall.

The team also includes associate director Nathanael Campbell, associate choreographer Jemima Brown, orchestral manager Elaine Ambridge, casting director Jill Green and casting associate Tom Shiels. The production team comprises production manager Igor, stage manager Suzy Bourke, deputy stage manager Aimee Woods and assistant stage managers Ell East, Helen Finn and Helen Lainsbury.

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