Coraline A Musical based on Neil Gaiman’s book to premiere at Leeds Playhouse & tour

Leeds Playhouse has announced a world premiere production of Coraline – A Musical based on Neil Gaiman’s award-winning novel, which was turned into a movie.

The show will be staged at Leeds Playhouse in Spring 2025, ahead of UK tour.

Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman (The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Good Omens, Doctor Who), the musical is adapted by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Zinnie Harris (101 Dalmatians The Musical), with music and lyrics by British musician and songwriter Louis Barabbas (Jocasta: A Musical Tragedy).

A co-production between Leeds Playhouse, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep and HOME Manchester, the show will premiere in Leeds Playhouse’s Courtyard Theatre from 11 April to 11 May 2025 before touring to Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

A family-friendly musical aimed at anyone aged 9+, the show is a darkly imaginative, richly rendered fantasy story that will take audiences on an adventure into a mysterious world under the spell of the button-eyed, deeply sinister “Other Mother”.

Coraline – A Musical explores the fascinating spaces created by alternate realities. As young Coraline moves into a new home with her family, she soon discovers that things are not what they seem. The roof leaks, the wallpaper is peeling off the walls, the new neighbours are a little eccentric and her parents are so busy they hardly notice her at all.

The show will be directed by Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director and Chief Executive James Brining (Oliver!, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, The Wizard of Oz), alongside a creative team that includes Set & Costume Designer Colin Richmond (Oliver!), Puppet Designer and Director Rachael Canning (The Jungle Book, Of Mice and Men, Into The Woods, Oliver Twist), and Choreographer EJ Boyle (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sunshine on Leith).

Casting and further creatives are to be announced.

Zinnie Harris said in a statement: “I first came across Coraline when reading books to my children, and was blown away by the inventiveness of the world and this strange Other Mother, a woman that looks exactly like your mother and yet has buttons for eyes. It’s weird and scary but ultimately full of truth about facing fears – I know a number of young people who said that reading the story as a child helped them get through difficult times. Coraline is a kind of hero for us all in that way. It’s a joy to work with Gaiman’s text, the narrative translates well – this epic adventure that sees a little girl battling the weirdest of adversaries and ultimately using her grit and courage to win through.”

Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director and Chief Executive James Brining said: “Coraline is a wonderfully imaginative coming-of-age story that takes us to dark places and challenges us to explore a world glimpsed from the corner of our eye – an unnerving place full of shadows and mystery, where nothing is quite as it seems. Coraline is a brilliant character, an unlikely but inspiring hero whose curiosity about the world matches her courage to face her biggest fears. I’m also thrilled to be working with Zinnie again after our successful partnership on Leeds Playhouse’s production of (the fall of) The Master Builder, and creating a magical show with fantastic new songs which explore the need to find out what’s important in life, confronting your demons and what it means to be truly brave.”