Chariots of Fire Welcomes Final West End Cast

Posted on 12 November 2012

Tomorrow, Tuesday 13 November 2012 sees the final cast in Edward Hall’s critically acclaimed production of Chariots of Fire take to the track at the Gielgud Theatre after its previously announced extension through to 2 February 2013.

The cast comprises Jack Lowden (Eric Liddell) and James McArdle (Harold Abrahams) who continue to lead the company. They are joined by David Beams (Head Porter/Reverend Liddell/Foster/Lord Cadogan), Isabella Calthorpe (Florence Mackenzie), Gareth Charlton (Jackson Scholz), Henry Davis (Charlie Paddock), Lloyd Everitt (Athlete), Zac Fox (Aubrey Montague), Daniel Fraser (Athlete/Jim), Nickolas Grace (Master Of Trinity/Duke of Sutherland/Colonel Keddie), Leigh Lothian (Jennie Liddell), David McGranaghan (President of Gilbert & Sullivan/Colin), Aki Omoshaybi (Athlete/Reg), Matthew Pearson (Sandy McGrath), Savannah Stevenson (Sybil Gordon), Paul Tinto (Secretary of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Dylan Turner (Athlete/Mr Ratcliffe ), Gabriel Vick (Robin/HRH The Prince of Wales), Simon Williams (Master of Caius), Tam Williams (Lord Andrew Lindsay) and Nicholas Woodeson (Sam Mussabini). 

Michael Rose, Producer of Chariots of Fire said:  “London 2012 may be over, but at the Gielgud Theatre audiences continue to be thrilled by our very own cast of athletes.  Telling the moving story of two of Britain’s true Olympic hero’s , Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, Chariots of Fire is an exhilarating adaptation of the legendary Oscar winning movie.” 

Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett’s new adaptation, inspired by Colin Welland’s original screenplay, is based on Olympic heroes Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams’ remarkable inspirational tale of hope, honour and belief. Chariots of Fire features the legendary music of Vangelis with additional live music and arrangements by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Carr. The Vangelis soundtrack Chariots of Fire: The Play - Music from the Stage Show is now available on Decca Records. Designer Miriam Buether has transformed the Gielgud Theatre into an immersive stadia experience, evoking the spirit of the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.  Costumes are by Michael Howells with lighting by Rick Fisher, choreography by Scott Ambler and sound by Paul Groothuis.   

1924. The Paris Olympic Games.  A devout Scottish Christian runs for the glory of God. The son of an immigrant Lithuanian Jew runs to overcome predjudice. Two young track athletes who live for the beautiful purity of running and who prevail in the face of overwhelming odds.  

Colin Welland’s 1981 Academy Award® winning film of the same name, starred Ian Charleson and Ben Cross as athletes Liddell and Abrahams, was directed by Hugh Hudson.   Produced by David Puttnam, Chariots of Fire also won the BAFTA award for Best Film and a further two awards at the Cannes Film Festival. 

Chariots of Fire is produced in the West End by Hugh Hudson, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson and Michael Rose Limited who present a Hampstead Theatre production based on the Enigma Productions Limited motion picture by arrangement with Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Allied Stars S.A. Panama.