The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has revealed the full cast for Stephen Sondheim’s much-loved classic, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, the penultimate production of its landmark 50th anniversary season, A Homecoming.
Leading the company will be Michelle Gomez as Desiree Armfeldt and Michael D. Xavier as Fredrik Egerman.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC will be directed by Artistic Director Selina Cartmell and run from 5 December 2026 to 30 January 2027.
The production will also star Gillian Bevan as Madame Armfeldt; Marley Fenton as Henrik Egerman; Liv Andrusier as Anne Egerman; Oliver Thornton as Count Carl-Magnus Malcom; WhatsOnStage Award-winner Courtney Bowman as Petra; Laura Harrison as Countess Charlotte Malcolm; Kaya Farrugia as Fredrika Armfeldt; Esme Laudat as Mrs. Anderssen (Quintet); Carolina Alegria as Mrs Nordstrom; Michael Robert-Lowe as Mr. Lindquist (Quintet); Sam Kipling as Mr Erlanson; and Monique Young as Mrs. Segstrom.
Completing the cast are David Ouch and Chloe Taylor as Ensemble.
Throughout A Homecoming season, Cartmell has invited Royal Exchange alumni and new collaborators to return to Manchester.
The creative team will include critically acclaimed Matthew Malone, who returns for a second time this season following FUN HOME, as Music Supervisor, Music Director, and Orchestrator; world renowned and Manchester-born Arlene Phillips will make her debut at the Royal Exchange Theatre as Choreographer; award-winning Designer Francis O’Connor; and Tony and Olivier award-winning Mark Henderson joins as Lighting Designer.
Stephen Sondheim’s breathtaking classic A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is a life-affirming fairy tale for adults.
In this enchanting musical, mismatched couples waltz through a series of self-delusions in search of a happy ending on the notes of Sondheim’s magical songs, including his bittersweet masterpiece ‘Send in the Clowns’.
Old, young and middle-aged are equally determined and witty in this Tony award winning musical comedy.
Artistic Director Selina Cartmell said:
“Ahead of the Royal Exchange’s 50th anniversary next week, 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”.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC runs at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester from 5 December 2026 to 30 January 2027 as part of its 50th Anniversary Season, A Homecoming.
