The Light Princess

By Samuel Adamson and Tori Amos, suggested by a story by George MacDonald

Directed by Marianne Elliott

Originally produced at National Theatre , London.

September 15, 2013 through February 2, 2014

About the Premiere Production

The Light Princess, A new musical: a dark fairytale about grief, rebellion and the power of love. Once in opposing kingdoms lived a princess and a prince who had lost their mothers. Althea, unable to cry, became light with grief and floated, and so was locked away. Digby became so heavy-hearted that he could never smile, and so was trained as a warrior. One day, he declares war. Althea is forced out of hiding and down to ground but, in defiance of her father, she escapes, only to encounter the solemn prince. Beside a lake the warring heirs begin a passionate and illicit affair. But for Althea to find real love, she must first confront the world’s darkness and face her own deepest fears.

Artistic Statement

The Light Princess is a wonderful addition to the National's repertoire. It’s an integral part of the National Theatre’s mission to encourage and facilitate new and exciting voices to make music theatre a modern, living, vital form. It's equally crucial to give artists the support, infrastructure and time to develop their work, in collaboration with established theatre makers. We're very pleased to see such a wide audience (aged from 10 years upwards) responding to it with such delight and fervour.’

-Nicholas Hytner, Director, National Theatre

Grant Statement

Rehearsals were due to begin on 14 August 2013, which gave the production six weeks rehearsal time. However, due to the complex technical demands of the show, the first week was used entirely for acrobatics rehearsal. This only left five weeks for the full company to rehearse together, which is one week less than the preferred rehearsal time for a production of this scale at the National Theatre. The Edgerton Foundation’s grant enabled the full creative team to have one extra week of rehearsals from 5 August 2013, giving this new work an opportunity to reach its full potential for its world premiere.

-Tim Levy, Producer for the National Theatre

Director: Marianne Elliott

Set Design: Rae Smith

Lighting Design: Paule Constable

Sound Design: Simon Baker

Costume Design: Rae Smith

Choreographer: Steven Hoggett

Choreographer: Steven Hoggett Music Supervisor: Martin Lowe

Orchestrations: John Philip Shenale

Vocal Arrangements & Additional Orchestrations: Tori Amos and Martin Lowe

Animations: Matthew Robins

Projection Designer: Ian William Galloway

Puppetry Director: Finn Caldwell

Puppetry Designer: Toby Olié

Aerial Effects Designer: Paul Rubin

Associate Set Designer: Paul Atkinson

Associate Choreographer: Neil Bettles

Assistant Music Director: Tom Brady