The Sorcery Begins: Meet The Cast

The wait is finally over! We are delighted to announce the full cast and creative team joining us for the highly anticipated World Premiere of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice this June. This brand-new production, a collaboration between Cahoots NI and Buxton Opera House, in association with New 42 and the New Victory Theater, brings a visually spectacular family theatre experience to our stage - blending live magic, original music, imaginative storytelling, and stunning puppetry - before it heads across the Atlantic for a New York engagement in early 2027.

Among the talented cast, we are thrilled to welcome back Buxton favourite Jennifer Hague, who returns to our stage to play the role of Marith. A familiar face to our local audiences, Jennifer appeared as Clara the shoemaker in last year’s festive family production of The Elves and The Shoemaker, the Queen in our 2022 pantomime Sleeping Beauty, and Mrs Lovett in our 2022 community production of Sweeney Todd.

Jennifer joins a fantastic company of returning performers from last year's The Vanishing Elephant including Philippa O’Hara as Gunda, James Grimm as Dad, and Iris Schmid as Puppeteer. We are also excited to welcome Orla Gormley as Mum, Nimshi Kongolo as The Sorcerer, and Christina Nelson as Miss Fumble as they all make their Buxton debuts.

The creative team bringing this enchanted world to life includes Writer Charles Way, Director Paul Bosco McEneaney, and Puppetry Designer and Director Helen Foan, with music produced by Score Draw, songs composed by Fiona O’Kane, and a score by Fiona O’Kane and Neve Hutchinson.

The production is designed by Diana Ennis (Set and Costume Design), Guy Barrett (Illusion Design), Simon Bond (Lighting Design), and David Morgan (Prop and Set Design). Our technical and production team includes Bethany Tays (Audio Engineer), Ross McDade (Production Manager), Amy Smyth (Stage Manager), and Declan King (On Stage Technician).

Set in a world of enchanted forests, snowy skies, and dancing northern lights, the show follows Gunda, an ordinary schoolgirl who discovers an extraordinary power hidden within and must face fierce competition for the chance to become The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

This production of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England and Culture Ireland.