WEST End stars lead the casting announced today for The Grinning Man - a brand new musical from Bristol Old Vic, currently celebrating its 250th anniversary year, directed by Tom Morris (War Horse) and based on the Victor Hugo novel and cult silent movie The Man Who Laughs.

Twisted morals and characters from the darkest corners of Victor Hugo’s imagination are brought to life in a tale of the exquisite pain and pleasure found in remembering who you are and who you love.

Rising star Louis Maskell takes the title role of Grinpayne, The Grinning Man. He recently appeared in Flowers for Mrs Harris (Sheffield Crucible) and is well-known for the role of Freddy in the award-winning My Fair Lady (Sheffield Crucible) and as Tony in the UK tour of West Side Story. He also played the lead role in The Fix (Union Theatre).

Julian Bleach takes the role of the deliciously corrupt court clown, Barkilphedro. He is an actor best known as co-creator of Olivier award-winning Shockheaded Peter. His theatre roles include playing Ariel to Patrick Stewart’s Prospero in the RSC production of The Tempest and Ivanov in the NT production Every Good Boy Deserves Favour. His television roles include Davros, creator of the Daleks, in the 2008 season finale of Doctor Who, returning to reprise the role in 2015. He also appeared as Macheavelli in Showtime/Sky Atlantic’s The Borgias.

Sean Kingsley is musical theatre royalty. He is taking the role of Ursus, the father figure with a dark secret. Sean has appeared in Cats, played the role of Jean Valjean in the West End production of Les Misérables, toured Mamma Mia! internationally and appeared in West End hits from Billy Elliot to We Will Rock You. He is currently appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regents Park Open Air Theatre).

Gloria Onitiri will play the wantonly amoral Princess, Josiana. She has appeared as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard as well as other high profile roles of Nala in The Lion King and Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q. Josiana’s half-brother (and love interest) is played by Stuart Neal. His stage work includes Kenneth Branagh’s The Winter’s Tale, Macbeth and Harlequinade as well as appearing in musical theatre hits Le Cage Aux Folles, Evita and Mary Poppins.

Audrey Brisson will play Grinpayne’s childhood love, Dea. Currently starring in Kneehigh Theatre’s The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Audrey has had lead roles in Romeo and Juliet (The Rose, Kingston), Dead Dog in a Suitcase and The Wild Bride (both Kneehigh Theatre) and Elephantom (West End).

Also joining the cast are Ewan Black (Sleeping Beauty, Bristol Old Vic), Alice Barclay (Swallows and Amazons), Stuart Angell (The Lorax, Running Wild) and Patrycja Kujawska (Kneehigh’s Tristan & Yseult, The Red Shoes).

The Grinning Man is on at the Bristol Old Vic from October 13 to November 13. For more information and tickets visit bristololdvic.org.uk or call 0117 987 7877