Cast announced for The Crooked Spire musical at Chesterfield Pomegranate Theatre

The musical has been created by Ashgate Heritage Arts, a not-for-profit theatre production company founded by Martin Coslett and Peter Gray, musicians and lyricists who live in Chesterfield and Mary Hennessy, an award-winning scriptwriter from Buxton.

Martin Coslett, the producer and co-writer, said: “We’re thrilled to finally be able to bring our ‘home-grown’ musical to the stage in Chesterfield – a captivating story which celebrates Chesterfield history and its most iconic landmark. It’s also about a community recovering from a pandemic (the plague), the importance of friendship and standing up for truth and justice, which everyone can relate to. And of course, there are lots of catchy songs along the way!”

Based on the novel, The Crooked Spire, by Chris Nickson, the musical is set in the mid-14th century and follows John, a carpenter, who has travelled from York to find work on the new spire which is being constructed on top of St Mary and All Saints Church.

Before long the Master Carpenter at the church is murdered and John becomes the chief suspect. The only way he can clear his name is to find out who the real killer is. As he gets closer to the truth further murders are committed and John’s life is in great danger.

The production will star Gerard Fletcher as Sir Henry, whose TV credits include roles in the BBC’s Happy Valley’; Netflix’s The Crown; the BBC’s Get Even, and the upcoming BBC drama, Sherwood, as well as the role of Hud in Loaded, with the Reform Theatre Company and Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, at the Merlin International Theatre, Budapest.

Other cast members include John Conway, as Sir Richard, who has played the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells and Starer in the film, The World’s End.

Stephanie Putson, who played Billy’s Mum in the London production of Billy Elliot the Musical (2005 – 2016) will play Martha, who is John’s landlady. Hayley Mitchell who recently starred in Northern Girls at the Pilot Theatre and The Fiesta Fawns, Middlesbrough Little Theatre, will play Katherine.

Philip Meeks, one of the country’s most respected pantomime dames, has been cast as Robert the monk, Sir Richard’s scribe. For most of the year Phillip concentrates on his writing career, this includes several years writing for Emmerdale. He has also written plays including Murder Margaret and Me, Harpy starring Su Pollard and most recently Sleepy Hollow. Philip last appeared at the Pomegranate Theatre in the leading role of Arnold in a national tour of Not Now Darling.

The show is also showcasing upcoming talent including Adam Stickler, who plays the lead role of John and who has already dazzled theatre-goers as Henry Jekyll in a run of Jekyll and Hyde at the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis.

Clara Coslett has been cast as the Master Carpenter’s wife, Beth and will come fresh from playing the beggar woman in Sweeney Todd at Buxton Opera House from April 29 to May 1.

Eleven-year-old Eddie Waller from Brampton, Chesterfield has been cast as Walter, who is John’s young friend. Eddie has played a variety of roles and performed in concerts as part of Inspirations Theatre Company since 2017.

Despite the lead-up to the show coinciding with Eddie’s year 6 SATS exams, he can’t wait to start rehearsing.

Eddie said: “Walter is a great character – he’s very brave and a bit cheeky, but he looks up to John, the new carpenter in town and wants to win his approval. It’s a great role to play.

“I feel very lucky and excited to have got the part in the show. I can learn so much from all the professional actors and it’s going to be amazing performing on the stage at the Pomegranate Theatre.”

Ashgate Heritage Arts has secured Jake Smith as the musical’s director. Jake’s credentials include resident director roles at the Almeida Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre and he has also worked on large scale productions, notably Sting’s The Last Ship, The Hounds of Baskerville for Northern Stage and the tour of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Jake said: “After reading the script, I jumped at the chance to be involved as I love staging amazing stories which have a strong sense of place and pride in local heritage. I’m also passionate about working with community theatre and creating excellent productions outside London.

“Together with set designer Lu Herbert, I will be creating a visually stunning show, which will transport audiences back to medieval Chesterfield,” he added.

The musical director for the show, Harry Style, is a composer-arranger in theatre and television, and singer with the Ashatones. His credentials include composer for Liz and Forgive, Oh Father! at the Edinburgh Fringe, and musical director on Godspell at the Bridewell Theatre.

Harry has taken the songs written by Martin and Peter of Ashgate Heritage Arts and created the orchestral score and choral arrangements for the cast.

Harry said: “The music for the show combines a mix of folk ballad, rock, as well as some references to medieval music. It’s an absolute pleasure to work with such talented performers to create something truly worthy of the West End stage for Chesterfield.”

Funding from Arts Council England and Derbyshire County Council has enabled Ashgate Heritage Arts to stage the full production.A version of the show was previewed at Buxton Fringe in 2020 and some of the songs from the show delighted an audience at St Mary and All Saints Church (the actual ‘crooked spire’) in October 2021.

Novelist Chris Nickson said: “I’m flattered that Ashgate Heritage Arts are bringing my story to life. There are a number of theories about how the spire became crooked and my story explores one of those theories. Above all, it’s a murder mystery, but the importance of friendship (and a little romance!) underpins it all."

The cast and production team will be involved in a series of workshops with young people during the rehearsal period in May, hosted by Junction Arts, to provide an insight into musical theatre.

The matinee performance on May 21 will include a Q & A with Martin Coslett, Mary Hennessy and Chris Nickson.

There will be a BSL signed performance on the evening of May 19.

TIckets for The Crooked Spire cost £17.50 and £9.50 (child). To book go to www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk