The Witches (musical)

The Witches (or Roald Dahl's The Witches) is a stage musical with book and lyrics by Lucy Kirkwood and music and lyrics by Dave Malloy, based on Roald Dahl's 1983 children's novel of the same name.

World premiere: London (2023-24)
The musical had its world premiere in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre, London as a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company on 21 November 2023 (following previews from 7 November), running until 27 January 2024. The production will be directed by Lyndsey Turner and choreographed by Stephen Mear.

Full casting was announced on 4 September 2023 including Katherine Kingsley as the Grand High Witch, Daniel Rigby as Mr. Stringer and Sally Ann Triplett as Gran.

Premise
A boy and his grandmother live in a world run by witches, and The Grand High Witch is planning to turn the world's children into mice.

Musical numbers
Act I 1. A Note about Witches (The Witches)

2. Ready to Go (Luke, Young Company)

3. How to Recognise a Witch (Gran, Young Company)

4. Heartbeat Duet (Luke, Gran)

5. Magnificent (Mr Stringer, Hotel Staff)

6. Bruno Sweet Bruno (Bruno, Company)

7. Processional (Melanie, The Witches)

8. One Day (Grand High Witch, The Witches)

9. Metamorphosis (Grand High Witch, The Witches)

10. Down with Children (The Witches)

Act II 1. Don’t Say Mice (Mr Stringer, Luke, Bruno, Hotel Staff)

2. When I Was Young (Gran)

3. Wouldn’t It Be Nice? (Grand High Witch)

4. Out! Out! Out! (Mr and Mrs Jenkins, Mr Stringer, Grand High Witch, Gran, Hotel Guests & Staff)

5. Get Up (Helga, Hotel Kids)

6. Bon Appétit (Chef Chevalier)

7. Kitchen Caper (Luke, Kitchen Staff)

8. Get Up (Reprise) (Luke, Young Company)

9. Soup Time (Kitchen Staff, Mr Stringer, The Witches)

10. The Heart of a Mouse (Gran, Luke, Company)

Critical reception
Reviews were positive, the New York Times calling it a "deftly rendered production, a high-quality piece of family entertainment that skilfully blends the playful and the macabre, and does justice to the author’s distinct comic style.". The Independent and Time Out London both gave it 5 stars, Time Out calling it "a hysterically funny triumph". Broadway World also gave it 5 stars, saying it "combines exuberant fun, quick-witted comedy and a positive attitude towards death to produce an enthralling, clever and incredibly funny production.".