Experience the Magic of Storytelling: "Harper Thursday and the Magic Lantern" - A play with original songs premieres July 17, 2025 in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Book & Lyrics by Craig Wilde
Music by Paul G. Clark
Directed by Jake Murray
Graphics & Web by Filipe Ribeiro
Illustration by Jenny Coulter
Produced by Niltoni Entertainment
From the 17th to the 31st of July, 2025. In the Common Room, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
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EXCLUSIVE - Listen to the First Track from the Cast Album 'In The Dark' - performed by Charlie the Chimney Sweep, sang by AIDEN SHORE.
To listen just click the Album artwork.
The Cast
Corinne Monroe
as Harper Thursday
Aiden Nord
as Charles Kingsley
Jen Stevens
as Baba Yaga
Jamie Brown
as Captain James Hook and the Scarecrow
Markus Stanley
as the White Rabbit and Piglet
Bringing Harper Thursday and the Magic Lantern to life is a vibrant cast of talented performers who capture the wonder, imagination, and heart at the center of Harper’s story. From Harper herself — a bright, curious girl who finds escape and courage in the world of books — to Charlie, the spirited ghost of a 19th-century chimney sweep who guides her through magical realms, each character is lovingly portrayed by actors who know how to make dreams feel real. Along the way, they encounter iconic figures from classic tales — from fairies and wizards to kings and heroes — all portrayed with charm and whimsy. Our cast is dedicated to creating a world where adventure, bravery, and the magic of storytelling are waiting around every corner.
The Faces behind the Magic
Meet our team of talented experts bringing this production to life, and magic to this very special and enchanting venue in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Producer
Craig Wilde
Craig Wilde is an English actor, voice actor, voice-over artist, television presenter, creative director and television producer. In 2022 Craig wrote and produced his first Charles Dickens adaptation of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, playing at Newcastle upon Tyne's Historic 17th Century Alderman Fenwick House.
Craig's second play, a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein or a Modern Prometheus' will premiere at the Newcastle Castle in November 2024.
Director
Jake Murray
The award-winning freelance theatre and film director, screenplay writer, poet and drama teacher based in Durham, UK. Founder of Elysium theatre which has produced 12 stage productions and several other plays.
Composer
Paul G Clark
Paul G. Clark has worked within the music industry for over 20 years, Recording, Writing, Producing, and project managing for many artists and companies, across a wide field of genres. Paul G Clark also scores music for professional film and theatre companies, and provides licenced sound design for adverts and T.V.
Illustrator
Jenny Coulton
Jenny is a Cambridge based illustrator/comics artist, and an Oxford-based History student. More of her portfolio is available here.
Lighting Designer
James Appleby
James is a theatre technician and lighting designer based in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Across the last 5 years he has worked in venues of all sizes across the country, both on in house and touring productions.
He loves experimentation both with his designs and with new hardware and software.
Costume Designer
Abby Wilkinson
Working as a costume designer in the North East, constructing bespoke costumes for stage and screen productions, Abby graduated from the Northern school of Art with a bachelor degree in Costume. Previously worked on MacBeth and Midsummer Night’s Dream with Elysium Theatre Company and Niltoni Entertainment to create both modern and historical costumes with a unique theme and perspective.
Set Designer
Amelia Mitchell
Amelia Mitchell is an upcoming Production Designer with skills in set design, prop making and scenic art. After graduating Production Design for Stage and Screen at The Northern School of Art, Mitchell studied digital techniques within Virtual Production at The University of Sunderland. As a scenic artist and designer, she has worked on several productions at South Shields Customs House including The Addams Family and Sleeping Beauty. She has also created props for BBC sitcom being released later this year.