A Cracking Cast for Christmas!
30 Sep 2022
I think we may have our hands full this Christmas if their first meeting is anything to go by.
Putting the 'crackers' into Nutcracker and the 'cool' in your Yule (sorry) – we’re delighted to introduce...
The Nutcracker cast!
1. Tristan Sturrock
Just call him Mr Christmas!
Playing the role of the mysterious Mr Choke, this is Tristan Sturrock's third Christmas show at Bristol Old Vic. Stepping out as our original Peter in Sally Cookson's Peter Pan, and returning for The Little Mermaid. Now he's back - he must like the BOV Secret Santa.
Tristan isn't just for Christmas though. He's a familiar face at Bristol Old Vic from Cyrano (playing Cyrano), Tristan & Yesult (playing Tristan) and Handel's Messiah (playing – yup - the Messiah.)
He's also clocked up a string of impressive West End and international roles including Dr Alex Harvey in the Broadway production of Brief Encounter and Maxim de Winter in Rebecca. Tristan also played Zacky Martin in all five series of Poldark.
2. Patrycja Kujawska
Patrycja Kujawska is another Bristol Old Vic fav, working with Tristan in both Cyrano and Tristan & Yseult too.
She was also the formidable Queen Angelica in cult BOV classic The Grinning Man and you'd have also seen her in Dead Dog in a Suitcase - if you saw it - she was the one playing ferocious violin, in the middle of a giant hurricane of whirling paper, smoke, noise and power to bring the house down (not literally).
3. Guy Hughes
Welcome back Guy Hughes! He's going to be playing Claire's brother Eddie, and then magically transforming into one of her toys - Action Man.
We've promised him there will be no eagle eyes and no plastic pants. (The resemblance is uncanny...)
4. Mae Munuo
It's a Bristol Old Vic debut for Mae Munuo, who plays the role of Claire, the little girl who received the gift of a nutcracker toy which magically comes to life on Christmas Eve.
Mae’s theatre credits include Gulliver’s Travels, The Bolds and The Canterville Ghost at The Unicorn Theatre; Anansi The Spider at The Regents Park Open Air Theatre; I’ll Take You to Mrs Cole with Complicité; September Skies and her own play How to Become a Revolutionary (the Caravan Theatre).
Short film credits include: Behind Your Back (London Film School) and Mea and Gee which she wrote, directed and starred in. (We are feeling a little inadequate..)
5. Denzel Baidoo
Bristol Old Vic debut #2 is the Nutcracker himself!
Although Denzel Baidoo is a Theatre School graduate, we haven't been lucky enough to see him on stage here. That's all about to change!
Denzel graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2019. Since then, he has worked with Theatre 593, the Royal Court and on TV in C4’s Screw and Apple TV’s Suspicion.
Although our version of The Nutcracker is a long way from sugarplum fairies and ballet shoes - Denzel has some special moves of his own...no spoilers!
Wait and see!
6. Kirris Rivieré
BOV debut #3!
Kirris Rivieré plays Martin and King Sausage (oh yes he is). Bristol-born, Kirris has written and directed a children's podcast/animation and is currently completing his first web series as writer/director.
You may have seen him on stage working with some of Bristol's best: The Long Lie (Ad Infinitum), Macbeth and A View from the Bridge (both Tobacco Factory). We're really pleased to finally have him at Bristol Old Vic.
His TV credits include The Sandman, Manhunt Season 2 and A Confession for ITV.
7. Gwyneth Herbert
Award-winning composer and lyricist Gwyneth Herbert plays Queen Rat, returning to her traditional Christmas role at Bristol Old Vic, providing spectacular live music in an outrageously extravagant costumes.
Her music and lyrics for The Snow Queen and A Christmas Carol were genre-defying, inspired by her previous work with writers, musicians, clowns, pirates and young people. We can't wait to see what comes next!
8/9. Harry Bird & James Gow
Gwyneth is joined on stage by musicians Harry Bird and James Gow, playing a variety of instruments (in a variety of costumes).
Harry was last on stage here in A Christmas Carol and his bright and beautiful music is a big part of Christmas!
When not dressed as a giant mouse on stage here, Harry is one part of the folk band The Rubber Wellies.
James was last on stage at BOV in The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk - welcome back!
