It’s far too early to be thinking about Christmas, we know, but time does fly by fast. It feels like we were reporting on Birmingham Hippodrome’s new in-house musical theatre department only last month, but apparently, it was over a year ago. And in doing so, has become the first UK venue to develop its own musical with the announcement of its first full production, The Jingleclaw.
There’s still a long time to wait to see it, however, with the festive family musical not showing until Christmastime. Created for 3 to 7-year-olds, The Jingleclaw production will open at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio on Thursday, December 12, 2024 and run until Saturday, January 4, 2025. It’s hurting our head just thinking that far ahead, it’s not even autumn yet…
Still, it is exciting! Written by Robyn Grant and Tim Gilvin, The Jingleclaw is set in a cosy village in the snowy mountains, telling the story of young musician Astrid and The Jingleclaw, a mischievous monster who can’t stand festive cheer and music. It will be the first in a series of musicals for children produced by Birmingham Hippodrome under the My First Musical banner. Anthony Lau will direct.
“Nurturing the next generation of theatre makers and goers is so important, and it’s brilliant that Birmingham Hippodrome recognise this and see the value in investing in great work made especially for them,” said Anthony. “I’m incredibly excited to be directing The Jingleclaw and to be a part of the Hippodrome’s innovative My First Musical programme.
“Robyn and Tim are supremely gifted writers with a knack for the mischievous and, with The Jingleclaw, we’re setting out to make a new musical for the whole family. We can’t wait to share the magic of a musical with them. With bats. And a power ballad. And a naughty, cuddly, monster who can’t stand festive cheer.”
Birmingham’s own Alexia McIntosh – who Hippodrome audiences will know from SIX and 2021’s panto, Goldilocks and the Three Bears – will star in the titular role, while Isabella Gervais (God Catcher, Edinburgh Fringe) will play Astrid. Mpilo May (Soldier On, Sheffield City Hall) will play Dad; Miiya Alexandra (The King and I, UK tour) joins the cast as Jacob, Astrid’s friend; Alex Cardall (What the Butler Saw, UK tour) will portray Hans; and Sue Appleby (The Winslow Boy, Frinton Summer Theatre) joins as Mrs. Whimsy.
It’s far from all the New Musical Theatre Department has been up to. Since establishing itself in 2023, it has produced workshop performances of This Is A Love Story and launched the Musical Theatre Writers Group – a developmental programme that offers five writing teams the opportunity to develop a new musical over the course of 12 months. With more productions on their way, we’re excited to get our first taste of its work with The Jingleclaw.
Chris Sudworth, Creative Director at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Robyn and Tim are two of the brightest talents in UK musical theatre. We supported their step up from the Fringe with Unfortunate in 2019, and they bring their characteristic joy, playfulness, naughtiness, lyrical and musical invention – but for a family audience – to The Jingleclaw.”
Tickets for The Jingleclaw go on pre-sale to Friends of Birmingham Hippodrome at 11am on Thursday, April 11 and on general sale at 11am on Friday, April 12. They can be purchased here or by calling 0844 338 5000.