CAST ANNOUNCED FOR REGIONAL PREMIERE OF FUN HOME AT THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
JEANINE TESORI’S TONY-AWARD WINNING MUSICAL IS THE THEATRE’S FOURTH PRODUCTION FOR ITS 50th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME, A HOMECOMING
A Royal Exchange Theatre Production
Regional Premiere
FUN HOME
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron
Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel
Director: Sarah Frankcom
3 July – 1 August 2026
The Royal Exchange Theatre today announces the cast for the regional premiere of the Tony-Award winning musical FUN HOME, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The musical’s Northern debut, which marks the 20th anniversary of Alison Bechdel’s iconic graphic novel, is directed by former Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom who is making her ‘Homecoming’ to the theatre in its 50th anniversary season of the same name.
FUN HOME is an exhilarating and heartbreaking musical about coming out and coming of age. Cartoonist Alison Bechdel, played by Jodie McNee, takes audiences on a journey into her childhood memories remembering what it’s like to grow up in a funeral home, undergo a sexual awakening in college, and try to make sense of the secrets at the heart of her family, including her dad Bruce Bechdel played by Olivier-award winning stage and screen actor Nigel Harman.
This groundbreaking modern masterpiece is a tale of grief and love, queer tragedy and queer joy, told through soaring, revelatory songs and runs in in the Exchange’s iconic round from 3 July to 1 August 2026.
Returning to the Royal Exchange after performances in NORA: A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE NIGHT WATCH, HAMLET, ORPHEUS DESCENDING, and A TASTE OF HONEY, Jodie McNee (KING LEAR, Globe Theatre; Orlando, Garrick Theatre; ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE, Royal Court Theatre) will be portraying Alison Bechdel opposite award-winning actor Nigel Harman (SHREK, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; GUYS AND DOLLS, Picadilly Theatre; EASTENDERS, BBC; DOWNTOWN ABBEY, ITV) who is joining the production as Bruce Bechdel.
Alice Audrey O’Hanlon (BILLY ELLIOT, Victoria Palace; MAMMA MIA!, Novello Theatre) will take on the role of Medium Alison, while Small Alison will be played alternately by Lillie Babb (TILL THE STARS COME DOWN, National Theatre; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, HOME Manchester; LES MISERABLES, UK Tour), Felicity L.J. Moore (LOVE LIFE, Leeds Grand Theatre; A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, Regional Tour/Leeds Grand Theatre; LES MISÉRABLES, Leeds Grand Theatre) and Harriet O’Shea (MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, HOME Theatre; HOLLYOAKS, Channel 4).
Returning to the Royal Exchange following her performance in INTO THE WOODS in 2015, Natasha Cottriall(HENRY VIII, Globe Theatre; THE WELKIN, National Theatre) steps into the role of Joan, while What’s On Stage Award nominee Alex Young (STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE, Sheffield Crucible/National Theatre; STRANGER THINGS, Phoenix Theatre) joins the cast as Helen Bechdel, and Lucca Chadwick-Patel (MEAN GIRLS, Savoy Theatre; MAMMA MIA!, Novello Theatre; LEGALLY BLONDE Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) joins as Roy / Bobby / Mark / Pete.
Reggie Kempson (LES MISÉRABLES, World Tour; BLUE PETER, CBBC), Finley Litchfield and Reuben Shepherdboth making their professional stage debut at the Royal Exchange will be playing the role of John at alternate performances, similarly to Arthur Lyons (PETER PAN, PHA), Morris McKinley making his professional debut and Theo Wake (MACBETH, Harold Pinter Theatre; LES MISÉRABLES, Sondheim Theatre; OLIVER!, Leeds Playhouse) who will be playing Christian.
The cast is completed by Jennifer Caldwell (PINOCCHIO, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre;
SIX THE MUSICAL, UK, Ireland & Korea Tour/Arts Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre; MAMMA MIA!, Prince of Wales Theatre/Novello Theatre) as Offstage cover for Alison, Medium Alison, Helen & Joan, and Alfie Richards (THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, UK Tour; TREASON, London Palladium/UK Tour) as Offstage cover for Bruce and Roy / Bobby / Pete / Mark.
The creative team includes Choreographer & Intimacy Director Jenni Jackson; Music Supervisor Matthew Malone,who makes a welcome return to the Royal Exchange following SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN; Designer Peter Butler, who returns to the Royal Exchange following his productions of A TASTE OF HONEY and ABIGAIL’S PARTY; Lighting Designer Bethany Gupwell; Sound Designer Tony Gayle; Associate Director Emma Baggott;and Casting Director Natalie Gallacher CDG (for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting).
LISTINGS
ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH
Box Office: 0161 833 9833 / royalexchange.co.uk
A HOMECOMING
2026 – 2027
Tickets from £12
A Royal Exchange Theatre Production
Regional Premiere
FUN HOME
Music – Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics – Lisa Kron
Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel
Director – Sarah Frankcom
Choreographer & Intimacy Director – Jenni Jackson
Music Supervisor – Matthew Malone
Designer – Peter Butler
Lighting Designer – Bethany Gupwell
Sound Designer – Tony Gale
Casting Director – Natalie Gallacher CDG
Associate Director – Emma Baggott
Cast – Alex Young, Nigel Harman, Jodie McNee, Alice Audrey O’Hanlon, Natasha Cottriall, Lucca Chadwick Patel, Jennifer Caldwell, Alfie Richards, Felicity Moore, Lillie Babb, Harriet O’Shea, Morris McKinley, Theo Wake, Arthur Lyons, Finley Litchfield, Reuben Shepherd, Reggie Kempson
Tickets from £12
3 July – 1 August 2026
Access Performances
Captioned (C) Performances: 25 July, 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Sensory Adapted (SA) Performance: 28 July, 6pm
Audio Described (AD) Performance: 25 July, 2.30pm
BSL-Interpreted (BSL) Performances: TBC
Box Office: 0161 833 9833
Online: www.royalexchange.co.uk