Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 Begins Performances at London’s Donmar Warehouse
The highly anticipated UK premiere of Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 has officially arrived in London, with performances kicking off tonight at the Donmar Warehouse. Dave Malloy’s award-winning musical, which earned 12 Tony Award nominations on Broadway in 2017, has captivated audiences with its innovative staging, captivating score, and dramatic storytelling since its debut at Ars Nova in 2012.
Inspired by a segment of Leo Tolstoy’s monumental novel War and Peace, The Great Comet tells the tale of Natasha Rostova, a young woman who becomes infatuated with a dashing aristocrat while waiting for her fiancé, Andrey, to return from the battlefield. The plot unfolds as Pierre, an unlikely hero, steps in to protect Natasha’s reputation and steer her through a whirlwind of love, scandal, and betrayal.
The London production stars Declan Bennett as Pierre, the introspective and disillusioned aristocrat, and Chumisa Dornford-May as Countess Natasha Rostova, whose emotional journey drives the plot. The dynamic cast also features Daniel Krikler as the passionate Fedya Dolokhov and Eugene McCoy as the stoic Prince Bolkonsky/Andrey.
Rounding out the ensemble are Annette McLaughlin as Marya Dimitriyevna, Maimuna Memon as Sonya Rostova, Jamie Muscato as Anatole, Cedric Neal as Balaga, Chloe Saracco as Mary, and Cat Simmons as Helene Kuragina Bezukhova. The production also includes Andrew Berlin, Kimberly Blake, Ali Goldsmith, Chihiro Kawasaki, Nitai Levi, and Annie Majin in supporting roles.
Directed by Tim Sheader, whose previous works include The Dark Earth and the Light Sky and Crazy For You, the musical is brought to life with choreography by Ellen Kane, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, and a stellar creative team. The set design, by Leslie Travers, promises to transport audiences to a lush, 19th-century Russian aristocratic world, while costume designer Evie Gurney’s period-appropriate designs add to the immersive experience. The production also benefits from the expertise of lighting designer Howard Hudson, sound designers Nick Lidster and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, and musical direction by Sam Young.
Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 originally premiered off-Broadway at Ars Nova before transferring to Broadway, where it garnered widespread acclaim for its bold, immersive staging and its genre-blending score, which fuses elements of musical theater, pop, and Russian folk music. The show’s Broadway run cemented its place as a modern musical theatre phenomenon, and now London audiences are set to experience its magic for the first time.
The UK production at the Donmar Warehouse runs from 9 December 2024 to 8 February 2025, promising to deliver a unique and unforgettable theatrical experience. With its stunning performances, dynamic choreography, and unforgettable score, The Great Comet is sure to leave a lasting impression on the London stage.
