Devon world premiere is really gettting tails wagging

Devon is gearing up for a special world premiere next week and its got tails wagging - particularly for one furry friend who is to star in the show. The Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is to be the focus of creatives from across the globe as it opens the highly anticipated stage production of The Artist.

Among the stars is Uggie the dog who has been taking the lead to enjoy the Devon sights on offer prior to the show opening on Saturday, May 11. The stage production of the multi-academy award-winning film of the same name will have its world premiere at TRP this month (May).

Co-produced by Theatre Royal Plymouth with The McOnie Company, the show tells the story of renowned 1920’s silent film star George Valentin as his career and marriage free fall, but through it all, his loyal friend Uggie remains by his side.

Bringing the pup -pet to life is Thomas Walton ( Everybody’s Talking About Jamie UK Tour; Bugsy Malone UK Tour; Dick Whittington Royal and Derngate) with Maia Kirkman-Richards as puppetry director and design. Maia is a Designer and Maker and Director of Puppetry and in 2018 was selected for the Old Vic 12 as their first Puppetry Consultant. Puppet Director and Puppet Design credits include Bear Snores On (Regents Park Open Air Theatre) and There’s A Rang-Tan In My Bedroom (Little Angel) and Puppet Maker credits include The Magician’s Elephant (Royal Shakespeare Company) and Gnomus ( BBC Proms). Assistant & Associate Puppet Director credits include 101 Dalmatians (Regents Park Open Air) and The Everywhere Bear (Polka).

Uggie joins the previously announced international award-winning dancer and actor Robbie Fairchild as George, West End favourite Gary Wilmot as Studio Producer Al Zimmer and Briana Craig in the role of aspiring actress Peppy Miller.

Further cast members include Nicole Alphonce (Swing/Dance Captain), Alexander Bean (Clifton), Will Bozier (Ensemble), Matthew Caputo (Ensemble), Tiffany Graves (Gertie Gams), Tim Hodges (Swing), Lukas Hunt (Swing/Dance Captain), Lily Laight (Ensemble), Deja Linton (Ensemble), Tyler Lotzof (Ensemble), Louis Mackrodt (Ensemble), Shayna McPherson (Swing), Ebony Molina (Doris Valentin), Rachel Muldoon (Constance), Mark Samaras (Ensemble) and Daisy West (Ensemble).

The reimagined stage version of The Artist reflects the bygone era of silent cinema on the cusp of the Talkies and uses cutting-edge theatre-making with iconic music of the period.

Tickets are now on sale for The Artist at Theatre Royal Plymouth, where the production begins its journey with a strictly limited run from Saturday, May 11, until Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Uggie’s arrival in Plymouth can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3vIjUbX and the official concept trailer can be found here: https://youtu.be/pLVxa8h-e3k?si=BarD8bvN-_FfMCLG.

For tickets and all other details, visit: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/the-artist/