A Who’s Who of talent! Star cast announced for The Grinch

Performances begin Tuesday 10 December at The Lowry

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical have confirmed the casting for its festive run at The Lowry. Comedy legend Griff Rhys Jones will star as Old Max, alongside X-Factor winner Matt Terry as Young Max and Edward Baker-Duly as The Grinch, the world-famous festive mischief maker.

The record-setting Broadway sensation is set to play a UK Tour and the production will bring seasonal musical merriment to Salford for a special Christmas season, starting from Tuesday 10 December 2019 and running through until Sunday 5 January 2020.

Griff Rhys Jones will star as Old Max. Griff Rhys Jones is probably best known for his comedy sketch work on the BBC, most notably ‘Not the Nine O’clock News’ and ‘Smith and Jones’. He is a much sought-after presenter, actor and writer. Acting work includes ‘Mine All Mine’ and ‘Marple’ for ITV1. He hosted three series of the BBC2 show ‘Restoration’ and has authored recent documentaries on John Betjeman, Arthur Ransome, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Kenneth Grahame. He also presented a range of series looking at everything from Mountains, Cities and Rivers. His most recent travel documentaries include ‘Slow Train Through Africa’ and ‘Griff’s Great Britain’ (both for ITV1) and multiple series of BBC 2’s ‘Three Men Go To…’ with Rory McGrath and Dara O Briain. In 2009, Griff returned to the theatre and had a massively successful run in the West End revival of OLIVER! playing Fagin. Most recently he hosted ‘It’ll Be Alright on the Night’ for ITV1 and ‘Quizeum’ for BBC4

Matt Terry stars as Young Max. Matt has been non-stop since his win back in 2016. He had a top 3 hit with his Ed Sheeran penned winner’s single When Christmas Comes Around. His debut album, Trouble was released in November 2017 which featured Subeme La Radio and the lead single Sucker For You has been streamed 100 million times. In addition to music, he has also fronted his own radio show for Capital FM and has just completed touring the UK as the lead role in Dreamwork’s Madagascar The Musical.

Edward Baker-Duly will appear as The Grinch. Edward has worked in film, television and theatre in New York, the UK and South Africa. His considerable theatre credits include: The King and I (Lincoln Center Theatre), The King and I, Wizard of Oz (London Palladium); Gone with the Wind (New London Theatre), South Pacific (National Theatre), West Side Story (Prince of Wales Theatre), Salad Days (Vaudeville Theatre), Kiss me Kate, Copacabana, The Lady Vanishes, Dick Barton Special Agent, Twelfth Night, The Mikado, Side by Side by Sondheim, Full Monty, Pirates of Penzance and Singing in the Rain (UK and Ireland Tour. Television includes: Billions (Showtime), Royal Pains (USA Network), Elementary (CBS), Upstairs Downstairs, Downton Abbey, Emmerdale (ITV) and Yes Prime Minister (BBC). Featuring the hit songs, You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch and Welcome Christmas; Max the Dog narrates the show, as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos.
The role of Cindy Lou will be alternated between Isla Gie, Eve Corbishley, Sophie Woods and Bebe Massey.

Who’s Who?
Karen Ascoe plays Grandma Who; David Bardsley is Grandpa Who; Alan Pearson is Papa Who and Holly Dale Spencer is Mama Who.
The other citizens of Whoville are played by Nicola Barney as Annie Who; Nina Bell as Betty Lou; Lydia Bradd as Bugsy; Ana Cardoso as Scallops; Elena Christie as Phillis; Sophie Leigh-Griffin as Gymslip; Lawrence Guntert as Sporty; Zoe Humphryes as Danny Who; Monifa James as Reno; Sarah-Marie Maxwell as Trixie; Craig Nash as Palm Springs; Jessica Pardoe as Auntie Who; Andrew Pepper as Buzz; Lucy May Pollard as Punky, Calum Train as Timey, Ellen Whitehead as Boo Who.

Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, breathing life into this timeless story and conjuring the true meaning of Christmas.

The 2018 production is based on the show originally created by 3-time Tony Award winning director, Jack O’Brien.

The show broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway. Since then, more than 2 million people across America have been thrilled by this heart-warming musical.

Celebrate Christmas with the show The New York Times calls ‘100 times better than any bedtime story!’
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is running at The Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 10th December – Sunday 5th January.
Box Office: 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com

For performance times and further details across the tour, please see www.grinchmusical.co.uk