A Little Night Music to star Michael D. Xavier and Michelle Gomez
PRESS RELEASE: Michelle Gomez and Michael D. Xavier will lead an exceptional company in Stephen Sondheim’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, playing at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, UK, from 5 December 2026 to 30 January 2027.
"I frequently laugh myself to sleep contemplating my own future."
Directed by the Royal Exchange’s Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, this major new production is the penultimate show in the theatre's landmark 50th anniversary season, A Homecoming.
Celebrated Scottish actress Michelle Gomez takes on the role of Desiree Armfeldt, the glamorous and mesmerising actress, alongside award-winning actor and two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier as Fredrik Egerman.
A life-affirming fairy tale for adults, A Little Night Music follows mismatched couples as they navigate love, longing and self-delusion in search of a happy ending. Sondheim’s glorious songs, including the bittersweet ‘Send in the Clowns’, bring wit and romance to this Tony Award-winning musical comedy.
Bringing Sondheim to the Exchange
Throughout A Homecoming, Selina Cartmell has brought together returning Royal Exchange artists and new collaborators. The creative team for A Little Night Music continues that spirit.
World-renowned, Manchester-born choreographer Arlene Phillips makes her Royal Exchange debut, while Matthew Malone returns following Fun Home as music supervisor, music director and orchestrator. They are joined by award-winning designer Francis O’Connor and Tony and Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Mark Henderson.
Selina Cartmell said:
Ahead of the Royal Exchange’s 50th anniversary, it feels hugely special to announce the cast and creatives for A Little Night Music, a musical which also came to life over 50 years ago. For many of us in theatre, Sondheim is a familiar and much-loved place to return to and his genre defining work continues to surprise, delight and enthrall audiences to this day, much like the Royal Exchange has done across 400 productions since its foundation in 1976. I can’t think of a more fitting way to end this milestone year than by welcoming artistic collaborators and friends, both old and new, to create this breathtaking musical comedy for our truly unique and beloved theatre space.
Meet the company
Making her Royal Exchange debut as the glamorous and mesmerising actress Desiree Armfeldt is Michelle Gomez. Michelle is known for her BAFTA-nominated performance as Missy in Doctor Who, alongside memorable roles in Green Wing, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Doom Patrol and The Flight Attendant. Her stage credits include The Taming of the Shrew for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sleep with Me at the National Theatre and The Master Builder alongside Brian Cox.
Starring alongside her as Fredrik Egerman is two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier, also making his Royal Exchange debut. A star of the West End and Broadway, Michael performed opposite Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard and appeared in Hal Prince’s Prince of Broadway. His screen credits include Grantchester, Gentleman Jack and The Blacklist.
They are joined by:
Carolina Alegria: Mrs. Nordstrom
Liv Andrusier: Anne Egerman
Gillian Bevan: Madame Armfeldt
Courtney Bowman: Petra
Kaya Farrugia: Fredrika Armfeldt
Marley Fenton: Henrik Egerman
Laura Harrison: Countess Charlotte Malcolm
Sam Kipling: Mr. Erlanson
Esme Laudat: Mrs. Anderssen
Michael Robert Lowe: Mr. Lindquist
David Ouch: Ensemble
Chloe Taylor: Ensemble
Oliver Thorton: Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm
Monique Young: Mrs. Segstrom
The production is directed by Royal Exchange Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, with celebrated, Manchester-born choreographer Arlene Phillips making her Royal Exchange debut. Matthew Malone returns following Fun Home as music supervisor, music director and orchestrator, alongside award-winning designer Francis O’Connor, Tony and Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Mark Henderson and sound designer Tom Marshall.
The team also includes associate director Nathanael Campbell, associate choreographer Jemima Brown, orchestral manager Elaine Ambridge, casting director Jill Green and casting associate Tom Shiels. The production team comprises production manager Igor, stage manager Suzy Bourke, deputy stage manager Aimee Woods and assistant stage managers Ell East, Helen Finn and Helen Lainsbury.
CREATIVES
Director: Selina Cartmell
Music Supervisor, Music Director and Orchestrator: Matthew Malone
Choreographer: Arlene Phillips
Designer: Francis O'Connor
Lighting Designer: Mark Henderson
Sound Designer: Tom Marshall
Associate Director: Nathanael Campbell
Associate Choreographer: Jemima Brown
Orchestral Manager: Elaine Ambridge
Casting Director: Jill Green
Casting Associate: Tom Shiels
Birkbeck Assistant Director: Lauren Tranter
Royal Exchange Theatre,
St Ann’s Square,
Manchester M2 7DH
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