Full Cast Announcement for Hull Truck Theatre’s Christmas Production: The Borrowers (Proudly Supported by Hull Trains)

17 Oct 2024 | Press Release

Hull Truck Theatre are delighted to announce the full cast line up for their magical adaption of classic tale, The Borrowers, presented in partnership with Hull Trains and on stage from Friday 29 November to Saturday 4 January.

Hull Trains are supporting Hull Truck Theatre for the fifth consecutive year, following the success of previous live Christmas shows, including Peter Pan (2019), The Railway Children (2021) the Box-Office smash hit, A Christmas Carol (2022) and Pinocchio (2023). A continuation of this partnership is based on shared values including a commitment to the green agenda and the local community.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Hull Trains, said:

“We are thrilled to be back on board for a fifth year in our partnership of the production of The Borrowers at Hull Truck Theatre this Christmas. If previous experience is anything to go by, It's sure to be an enchanting show for all the family.”

“We’re extremely passionate about supporting arts and culture in the communities on our route from East Yorkshire to London. In the spirit of actively supporting the environment and encouraging audiences to do the same, we will once again be offering audiences our popular discount on interval ice-creams when showing a train ticket for travel to and from Hull.”

Captivating audiences of all ages, this exciting production is the perfect alternative to pantomime this festive season. Set in the early 1940s’ around the time of the Hull Blitz, audiences are invited to dive under the floorboards of a country house in rural East Yorkshire and into an enchanting world which explore themes of adventure, friendship and the joy of love and togetherness. Charles Way’s adaption of Mary Norton’s original novel has been re-imagined with live music and song with composer and co-lyricist John Biddle especially for Hull audiences.

Charles Way, Playwright, said: 

“This version of The Borrowers is all about family coming together, which most of us will recognise-with emotions running high, some singing, and a few surprises. I am always excited for Christmas, especially if it involves a trip to the theatre!”

The Borrowers will be performed by a company of six actors and two musicians and will follow Arrietty Clock and her small, but perfectly formed family as they borrow from the humans who live in the house above them. Furnishing their home and fuelling their appetites with their finds, The Borrowers will take audiences on a journey of discovery and adventure. Bea Glancy, known for playing Teela in Game of Thrones will star as Arrietty. Other credits include - Theatre: Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World (UK Tour), The Book Thief (Bolton Octagon), Treasure Island (Bolton Octagon), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (UK Tour); TV/Film: Andy and the Band (CBBC), and Katy (BBC).

Marc Akinfolarin will play Pod, husband to Homily and father to Arrietty. Pod will guide his family through the trials and tribulations of life beneath the floorboards and the adventure beyond. Theatre credits include: Choir of Man (Apollo Theatre, Chicago), Crazy for You (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Hex (National Theatre), Crazy for You (Chichester Festival Theatre), Anything Goes (Barbican), Pirates of Penzance (Palace Theatre), The Last Ship (Toronto and US Tour),The Wizard of Oz (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Spamilton (Menier Chocolate Factory), Spamalot (UK Tour/Mercury Colchester), Peter and The Starcatcher (Royal and Derngate), Floyd Collins (Wilton's Music Hall), Jesus Christ Superstar (U.K/European Tour), Sweeney Todd (English National Opera), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Porgy & Bess (Royal Danish Opera), A Christmas Carol (Birmingham Rep), The Colour Purple (The Menier Chocolate Factory), Soul Man (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Notre Dame de Paris (Asian Tour), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Landor Theatre), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour).

Deb Pugh will also return after performing as Pinocchio’s trusty sidekick and conscience – Cricket in Hull Truck Theatre’s 2023 Christmas production of Pinocchio. Deb will play the character of Homily in The Borrowers and is also the movement director for the production. With her nurturing spirit and unwavering love, she is the heart of the Clock family, binding them together through the trials and triumphs of their borrowed life. Deb is a freelance Theatre Maker and Movement Director, originally trained at École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. She is a core member of Ad Infinitum, developing and performing original work with them since 2007. Director / Movement Director credits include: Jekyll & Hyde (Derby Theatre), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Sheffield Crucible), An Adventure (Bush Theatre, London), The Twits (Curve, Leicester and Rose Theatre, Kingston), Attempts On Her Life (Dance House), Spitfire (Lowry Theatre), Declaration (Lowry Theatre), Bassett (Sheffield Crucible), Kristin Lavransdatter (North Wall), If You Fall (Bristol Old Vic) and Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian (Hull Truck Theatre).

Acting credits include: Beautiful Evil Things, Behind The Mirror, Translunar Paradise, Ballad of the Burning Star, Light, Bucket List, Town Hall Cherubs, Extraordinary Wall [of Silence] and If You Fall (Ad Infinitum). Deborah is also a visiting practitioner at a number of drama Schools and Universities.

The Borrowers will meet a host of human characters in this adventure. Mrs Driver will be played by Megan Leigh Mason, trained at Rose Bruford on the Actor Musicianship course. Theatre credits include: The Worst Witch (Vaudeville Theatre), Down and Out Live (La Générale, Paris); The Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency R&D (Cardboard Citizens); Electra (Bunker Theatre); A Christmas Carol (The Brewhouse Theatre); Sunny Afternoon (West End); Boeing Boeing, The Elephant Man, Godspell, Sleeping Beauty (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch); 33 (The Wardrobe Ensemble); No Rhyme (The Brockley Jack); The Tales of the Woo (Worcester Guildhall). Television credits include: Flowers in the Attic: The Origins (Icon Films) and Revenge A Paris (Wildseed Studios). Megan is also a singer-songwriter and is currently working on new material to release this year.

The kind-hearted and mischievous Crampfurl, the rebellious gardener will be played by Rachael Garnett. Having also trained at Rose Bruford, Rachael’s theatre credits include: Kinky Boots (Storyhouse) Brassed Off (Aberystwyth Arts Centre), Romeo and Juliet (Dukes Theatre Company and UK tour) Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and The Beanstalk, the rock n roll pantos (Leeds City Varieties); The Snow Queen (UK Theatre Award winner- Best Show for Children and Young People) I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire! (The New Vic), Brassed Off (Oldham Coliseum), A Christmas Carol (St Georges Hall Liverpool); Brilliance (Farnham Maltings and UK tour); Lovett and Todd (Kings Head), CREATE 210 (New writing festival 2020/2021), Cinderella (The Dukes Lancaster), Carstory (Box Clever); and Kurt Weill’s Lady in The Dark (Greenwich Theatre).

The character George is played by Ewan Ling, an Actor and Musician who trained at Guildford School of Acting and graduated with First Class Honours in 2022. Theatre credits include: Million Dollar Quartet (Florida, USA / NCL), Dick Whittington (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch), Buddy -The Buddy Holly Story (UK Tour), Dick Whittington (Nottingham Playhouse), Summer Holiday (Sheringham Little Theatre, Norfolk), The Witches of Eastwick in Concert (Sondheim Theatre, West End), West End Does Hollywood (Cadogan Hall, London) West End Does Christmas (Cadogan Hall, London) and The Little Princess (The Other Palace, London).

This year’s cast will also include two multirole actors who will cover a variety of roles with one also adding to the musical texture of the show. Angus Tikka is a Scottish/Finnish actor, musician, and composer. His stage credits include: Once (London Palladium and tours of Taiwan, China and Japan); The Lady or the Tiger (Tabard Theatre); The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck (Wilton’s Music Hall); Macbeth (Primary Shakespeare Company); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Typecast); and Hay Fever (EGTG). Angus completed an MA in Actor Musicianship at Rose Bruford, graduating in 2022. He originally trained as a musician, touring and recording with Scottish bands such as Skipinnish, Graham Costello’s STRATA, the Scott Wood Band and Wolfstone. Nell Baker trained at Oxford School of Drama. Theatre credits includes: The Regalettes (UK Tour: Badapple Theatre Company) Pinocchio, Ladies Unleashed (Hull Truck Theatre), Nearly The Goat, Pericles, All's Well That Ends Well, (Riding Lights Theatre Company), Snow (Theatre Chipping Norton), Shudder (Soho Theatre), Our Town (North Wall Arts Centre). TV & Film includes: The Count of Monte Cristo, Nightingale, My Dad's Christmas Date.

The 2024 festive production will see the team behind the theatre’s much-loved production of The Railway Children (2021) and last year’s production of Pinocchio (2023) reunited to create this exciting adventure to tell the much-loved classic story. The Borrowers will be directed by Hull Truck Theatre’s Artistic Director, Mark Babych and feature a new score by composer and co-lyricist John Biddle. Jonathon Mitra also joins the team for 2024 as Musical Director. Jonathan is a freelance musical director and keyboard player who has performed throughout the UK and internationally.

Mark Babych, Artistic Director at Hull Truck Theatre, said:

“We’re full of excitement to announce a fantastic cast for this magical festive production that we’re delighted to be partnering once again with Hull Trains. We are ready to dive into the imaginative world of The Borrowers, bringing back memories of the famous TV series and later films about the tiny adventures that live under the floorboards. Featuring original songs by John Biddle, live music from our team of actor musicians, spectacular staging, costume designs and puppetry, this epic journey adapted by Charles Way, is sure to bring families and audiences together during the festive months to come.”

Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Trains are also pioneering a green travel incentive for 2024. Audiences simply need to show a valid rail ticket for their journey at the point of ice cream purchase and receive an ice cream for just £1. Terms and conditions apply. See website for full details. www.hulltruck.co.uk

Tickets for The Borrowers are available now and can be purchased via www.hulltruck.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01482 323638.  Recommended age guidance: 7+. A variety of access performances are also available.