Casting announcement - Groby and Parson Tringham

​In further news from TESS creators Michael Blore and Michael Davies, it is announced that another two important roles have been cast for the album recording of the show.

Both roles – GROBY and PARSON TRINGHAM – are representative of a society that shuns women in Tess’s heart-breaking position in this new British musical adaptation of Hardy's much-loved novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles.

Hard-nosed farm manager Groby will be played by Olivier award-winning actor NATHAN DOWLING. Having trained at Mountview Academy in London, Nathan went on to perform in national tours of Anything Goes, The King and I, Annie and Tracy Beaker Gets Real. For his work on Jerry Springer: the Opera at the National Theatre he received the Olivier award for ‘Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical’.

​Local man of the cloth Tringham, who sets in motion the pursuit of the d’Urberville name, will be AARON GIBSON. A graduate of Arts Ed in London, Aaron has enjoyed a career on both stage and screen.  From playing the titular role in Oliver! (Leicester Haymarket Theatre), his theatre credits include Goodnight Mrs Calabash (The Gatehouse Theatre, London), Edges the Musical (The Landor Theatre, London), Let’s Sing (Birmingham Symphony Hall), CBeebies’ Numberjacks (U.K. Tour), Jamie and Anna Live! (U.K. Tour), Aladdin (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry) and Mother Goose (Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds). In film he has recently featured in Zombie Apocalypse and Kaleidoscope Man. “I could not be more proud to be a part of this exciting new cast recording’, he says, adding, “What a thrilling experience to be working with this team of talented artists. The story lends itself so lovingly to musical form and promises to capture hearts nationwide. I have high hopes for the show’s success and look forward to sharing it with others who I know will adore it!”

This concludes the second stage of casting for the album of TESS. Renowned casting director Anne Vosser will be holding auditions for the five principal roles on March 31st and April 1st at the Dance Attic in Fulham, London. More details are expected to be released later this week. 

​Produced by Sunim Koria, work on pre-production of the album will begin in April.

Composer Michael Blore said: “It will be a privilege to work with so many artists of such a high quality.  I can’t wait! Bringing the score to life will be a dream come true with something of a dream cast.”