fishermans friends musical tour

The True Story of the Cornish Chart Topping Buoy Band

Based on the true story of the chart-topping cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 movie, fisherman’s friends: the musical is a feel-good voyage about friendship, community and music which smashed box office records in cornwall..

When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected the story to end on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. They are spotted by a fish-out-of-water music manager on a trip from London, who must learn that there is more to life than selling your sole for fifteen minutes of fame.

• Edinburgh Festival
• Student Productions
• Advertising

Full cast for Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical tour

(L-R) Hadrian Delacey, James Gaddas, Robert Duncan, Pete Gallagher, Dakota Starr, Dan Buckley and Anton Stephans have been cast in Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical. Picture: Danny Kaan

The full cast has been announced for the 2022/2023 UK and Ireland touring production of Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical which will launch at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 1 September 2022. The production will also make its North American premiere, opening at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada on 27 November 2022 for a limited Christmas season, before returning to the UK in 2023.

Jason Langley ( Tina: The Tina Turner Musical , West End; Oslo, West End/National Theatre) will play record promoter Danny, Dan Buckley ( Eugenius!, The Other Palace and London Palladium;  The Book of Mormon , Prince of Wales Theatre) will play Rowan, Dakota Starr ( The Girls, West End/Leeds Grand Theatre/The Lowry;  Troilus and Cressida, RSC) will play Ben, Pete Gallagher (original West End cast of  Only Fools And Horses, Theatre Royal Haymarket; Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour ) will play Wiggie, Hadrian Delacey ( Miss Saigon , Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Les Misérables , Palace Theatre; Jerry Springer The Opera, National Theatre and Cambridge Theatre) will play Archie, Fia Houston-Hamilton ( The Wolf of Wall Street , immersive London production; Mamma Mia!, UK tour) will play Leah, Hazel Monaghan ( Romeo & Juliet/The Merry Wives of Windsor/A Midsummer Night’s Dream/Macbeth/Much Ado About Nothing , The Three Inch Fools) will play Sally, John O’Mahony ( As You Like It , Shakespeare’s Globe; The Tempest , Regent’s Park) will play Eddy, Louisa Beadel ( Fame, West End and UK tour; King Lear , Shakespeare’s Globe) will play Morwenna, Becky Hurst (making her theatre debut) will play Grace and James William-Pattison ( Once, UK tour; The Last Ship , UK tour) will play Owen.

Musicians Hazel Askew, Mel Biggs and Alfie Gidley will be led by musical director James Findlay. Ensemble cast members are Hazel Simmons, Janet Mooney, Dominic Brewer and Martin Carroll.

They will be joining the previously announced James Gaddas ( The Girls,   Billy Elliot,  Monty Python’s  Spamalot, Mamma Mia! ) as Jim, Parisa Shahmir ( The Snow Queen ,  The Last Ship  and  Mamma Mia! ) as Alwyn, Robert Duncan ( Drop the Dead Donkey ,  Casualty ,  Where the Heart Is,   Twelve Angry Men ) as Jago, Susan Penhaligon ( Bouquet of Barbed Wire ,  Emmerdale ,  A Fine Romance ,  Three Sisters, Of Mice and Men ) as Maggie and Anton Stephans ( Blues Brothers Meet Soul Sisters ,  Porgy and Bess ,  Starlight Express  and  Smokey Joe’s Cafe ) as Leadville.

The UK, Ireland and Canada tour follows a highly successful, sold-out season at Hall for Cornwall, where box office records were smashed, making it the biggest selling production in Hall for Cornwall’s 25-year history.

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is based on the true story of the Cornish singing sensations, Fisherman’s Friends, and the hit 2019 film about their life. When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, they hoped to raise a few quid for charity. Nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected their story to end on the Pyramid stage of Glastonbury.

The musical is directed by James Grieve and written by Amanda Whittington with choreography by Matt Cole, musical direction by James Findlay, set and costume design by Lucy Osborne, musical supervision and arrangements by David White, sound design by Dan Samson, lighting design by Johanna Town and casting by Jim Arnold.

The hit 2019 Fisherman’s Friends movie, with a screenplay by Nick Moorcroft, Meg Leonard and Piers Ashworth, delighted fans across the world. The sequel film,  Fisherman’s Friends: One and A ll, is set to be released in the UK on 19 August 2022.

Angela Thomas

Join the Conversation

Sign up to receive news and updates from Musical Theatre Review. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, click here .

Amanda Whittington , Becky Hurst , Dakota Starr , Dan Buckley , Fia Houston-Hamilton , Fisherman’s Friends , Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical , Hadrian Delacey , Hazel Monaghan , James Grieve , James William-Pattison , Jason Langley , John O’Mahony , Louisa Beadel , Matt Cole , Pete Gallagher , Royal Alexandra Theatre Toronto , Theatre Royal Plymouth

Comments are closed.

Search the site.

• Edinburgh 2018
• Edinburgh 2019
• Edinburgh 2021
• Edinburgh 2022
• Edinburgh 2023
• Special Feature Sponsored
• Uncatergorised

Sign up for our Newsletter

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, click here .

All contents © Musical Theatre Review, 2013 - 2019. All rights reserved. Published by Musical Theatre Review, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK. ISSN 2632-4318

• Off-West End
• West End Special Offers

Other Cities

• Stratford-upon-Avon

Complimentary And Deeply Discounted Shows

Enjoy live events at insider prices. Club members can see a different show every night of the week!

Discount Ticket Alerts

Get exclusive access to priority onsales and special offers, plus never miss out on the biggest stories from the West End, Off-West End and beyond.

By signing up you are confirming you are 16 or over. View our Privacy Policy.

Fisherman’s Friends – The Musical

Closed: 13 May 2023

Closed: 08 April 2023

Closed: 06 May 2023

Closed: 08 October 2022

Closed: 29 October 2022

Full cast announced for ”Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical” ahead of tour

Following a world premiere in Cornwall last year, the show opens on tour in Plymouth on 1 September 2022, with dates running into 2023.

Watch the trailer here:

Set to join them will be Jason Langley ( Tina: The Tina Turner Musical ) as record promoter Danny, Dan Buckley ( Eugenius ) as Rowan, Dakota Starr ( The Girls ) as Ben, Pete Gallagher (original West End cast of Only Fools And Horses ) as Wiggie, Hadrian Delacey ( Miss Saigon ) as Archie, Fia Houston-Hamilton ( The Wolf Of Wall Street ) as Sally, John O’Mahony ( As You Like It ) as Eddy, Louisa Beadel ( Fame ) as Morwenna, Becky Hurst (making her theatre debut) as Grace and James William-Pattison ( Once ) as Owen.

The musicians featured in the show are Hazel Askew, Mel Biggs, and Alfie Gidley, with the band led by musical director James Findlay. The ensemble cast will feature Hazel Simmons, Janet Mooney, Dominic Brewer and Martin Carroll.

Fisherman’s Friends is directed by James Grieve and written by Amanda Whittington with choreography by Matt Cole, musical direction by James Findlay, set and costume design by Lucy Osborne, musical supervision and arrangements by David White, sound design by Dan Samson, lighting design by Johanna Town and casting by Jim Arnold.

Tickets for select dates are on sale below.

Featured In This Story

Latest articles.

Download the Mirvish App

View Transcript

Dan Buckley, James Gaddas, Robert Duncan, Jason Langley, Anton Stephans - Photographer: Pamela Raith

Full Company - Photographer: Pamela Raith

Pete Gallagher, Dakota Starr, James Gaddas, Robert Duncan, Hadrian Delacey, Dan Buckley, Anton Stephans, Jason Langley - Photographer: Pamela Raith

Parisa Shahmir and full Company - Photographer: Pamela Raith

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE ORIGINAL U.K. CAST

Fisherman's Friends: The Musical

Closed: January 15, 2023

November 27, 2022 - January 15, 2023

Royal Alexandra Theatre

260 King St W , Toronto

Running Time

2 hours 30 mins (including intermission)

$39 Rush Tickets

Same day rush seats . Subject to availability

Access the Programme

Digital Version

Theatrical Haze and Fog, and Lightning Flashes. Some strong language and bawdy jokes. Recommended for ages 7+.

Accessibility Services

For assistance booking special access seats or for information about our Accessibility Services, please call 1.800.461.3333.

For Group savings on 10-29 tickets, book online or call 1.800.461.3333 for assistance. Restrictions and blackout dates apply.

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical tells the story of the world’s most unlikely buoy-band!

Based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 movie, Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is a feel-good voyage about friendship, community and music that will give any land-lover a mighty pair of sea legs.

When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected the story to end on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. They are spotted by a fish-out-of-water music manager on a trip from London, who must learn that there is more to life than selling your sole for fifteen minutes of fame.

So climb aboard, set sail and feel the salty sea air rush through your hair with this brand new musical.

A gloriously feel-good musical! - UK Theatre Web

Just the kind of show everyone should go and see… Incredible! - Birmingham Mail

An unashamedly feel-good night out! - ReviewsHub

Head onto the high seas, tap your feet, clap your hands and enjoy! - Curtain Call Reviews

Download our app and access our interactive digital programme

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical review – familiar tale given full voice in fresh voyage

Theatre Royal Bath Director James Grieve retains just enough of the rough-hewn power of the original sea shanties to offset the razzle-dazzle of the musical setting

P erhaps this charming real-life story of unlikely success – which saw a group of singing Cornish fisherman find fame – has been recycled one too many times. First there was the hit album (2010). Then came a decent film (2019) and a not so decent sequel (2022). Now we have Amanda Whittington’s stage musical, based on the original screenplay. It’s a solid script with some lovely flickers of humour and cynicism, particularly concerning the tension between the hardy Cornish locals and fair-weather tourists. But it’s a story we’ve heard many times before, arguably in more suitable forms.

The shanty songs work best when they’re barely being performed. London music exec Danny (a nicely nuanced Jason Langley) first spots the fishermen singing on the beach as the gulls caw overhead in a scene which captures the distilled beauty of the sea shanty. Later the group travel to London and sing for a music agent, with their backs turned to the audience. Their faces concealed, the music takes on an extra power and something very pure, warming and timeless rises up through their song.

Director James Grieve has clearly worked hard to hold on to the rough-hewn authenticity that made the Fisherman’s Friends such a success. The colours are kept muted throughout Lucy Osborne’s rig-inspired set and Johanna Town’s moody elemental lighting scheme. The performances, particularly from lead singer James Gaddas, are suitably un-showy and the musicians, with their simple instruments (including beer crate drums and an awful lot of foot-stomping), feel like an organic part of the ensemble.

But the conventions of the musical, inevitably, start to muscle in on the action. The fishermen perform one too many times at the local pub or keep bursting out into not-so-spontaneous song. It all feels a little bit awkward and, most crucially, artificial. It’s the songs performed by Danny’s love-interest Alwyn that make the biggest impact. Parisa Shahmir is a very natural musician and when she sings of the need to “keep hauling”, despite the very real possibility of heartbreak and loss, the music and musical work in perfect harmony.

At Theatre Royal Bath until 5 November. Then touring until 20 May.

• Theatre Royal Bath

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

Fisherman’s Friends the musical announce tour cast

Principal casting has been announced for the World Premiere of Fisherman’s Friends the Musical UK and Ireland Tour.

Fisherman’s Friends the musical is based on the true story of the Cornish singing sensations, Fisherman’s Friends, and the hit 2019 film about their life.  When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, they hoped to raise a few quid for charity.  Nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected their story to end on the Pyramid stage of Glastonbury.  Packed with sea shanties, Fisherman’s Friends is a feelgood voyage about friendship, community and music.

Featuring hit shanties made famous by the band including Keep Haulin’ , Nelson’s Blood , No Hopers Jokers & Rogues and many more.

Casting for Fisherman’s Friends the Musical UK and Ireland Tour includes: James Gaddas ( Casualty (BBC One), Bad Girls (ITV), Coronation Street (ITV), The Girls, Billy Elliot, Monty Python’s Spamalot, MAMMA MIA! (All West End) will play Jim, with Parisa Shahmir ( The Snow Queen (The Rose Theatre), The Last Ship (Northern Stage, UK & Ireland Tour) and MAMMA MIA! (UK Tour) will play his daughter, Alwyn. Robert Duncan ( Drop the Dead Donkey (Channel 4), Casualty (BBC), Where the Heart Is (ITV) Twelve Angry Men (Garrick Theatre, UK & Ireland Tour) will play Jago with Susan Penhaligon ( Bouquet of Barbed Wire (ITV), Emmerdale (ITV), A Fine Romance (ITV), Three Sisters, The Real Thing, Mr Love, The Maintenance Man, Dangerous Corner and Of Mice and Men (all West End) will play his wife, Maggie. Anton Stephans (finalist in The X Factor ITV), Blues Brothers Meet Soul Sisters (Theatre Royal, Windsor), Porgy and Bess (UK Tour), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express (UK Tour) Smokey Joe’s Cafe (1st UK Tour/Broadway and US Tour) will play Leadville.

Further casting to be announced.

Fisherman’s Friends Musical UK Tour

The UK & Ireland Tour follows a highly successful, sold-out season at Hall for Cornwall, where box office records were smashed, making it the biggest selling production in Hall for Cornwall’s 25-year history. The production will also make its North American premiere in Toronto this Christmas in the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Fisherman’s Friends the musical is directed by James Grieve and written by Amanda Whittington with choreography by Matt Cole, musical direction by James Findlay, set and costume design by Lucy Osborne, musical supervision and arrangements by David White, sound design by Dan Samson, lighting design by Johanna Town and casting by Jim Arnold.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Douglas Mayo has had a life long love affair with musical theatre. He has authored several books on publicity and marketing for amateur theatre groups. He is in the process of developing a musical based on his original story concept.

• Odnoklassniki
• Facebook Messenger
• LiveJournal

• Email Address * Enter Email Please Confirm Email
• Off West-End / Fringe
• Live Comedy
• Events / Festivals
• Family Shows
• LGBTQ Productions
• Alternative Theatre
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

You can Update Your Preferences or Unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of any email we send you.

Fisherman’s Friends The Musical

Fisherman's Friends The Musical has come to the end of its tour. Sign up to our Touring Alerts and we'll let you know when the show is back on the road.

FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS THE MUSICAL

This tour has now concluded.

Official Website: https://fishermanonstage.com

Find out what musicals are coming to a theatre near you

Click the link to  Find A Musical Near You now, and choose your nearest town or city

The World Premiere of Fisherman's Friends: The Musical

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical  is a feel-good voyage about friendship, community and music that will give any land-lover a mighty pair of sea legs.

Following a highly successful, sold-out season at Hall for Cornwall, where box office records were smashed (the biggest selling production in Hall for Cornwall’s 25-year history),  the world premiere production of Fisherman's Friends: The Musical  will begin a UK & Ireland Tour on 1st September 2022 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

It is based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations ‘Fisherman’s Friends', and the hit 2019 film about their life.

The band said, “Well not only did they make a film that we are not in, now there is a musical which we are not in as they dint think we were handsome enough to play ourselves! BUT we are thrilled that our musical is going on tour next year. We’ve seen it and it’s bloody fantastic and the music will blow you away. You’re all going to have a brilliant time.”

WHAT IS FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS THE MUSICAL ABOUT?

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical tells the story of the world’s most unlikely ‘buoy’ band!

When a group of Cornish fisherman came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, they hoped to raise a few quid for charity. Nobody, least of all the fisherman, expected the story to end on the Pyramid stage of Glastonbury..

So climb aboard, set sail and feel the salty sea air rush through your hair with this brand new musical. Or better still, forget that emmet nonsense and pour yourself a pint and just start singing along.

Featuring hit shanties made famous by the band including Keep Haulin’ , Nelson’s Blood , No Hopers Jokers & Rogues , Sweet Maid Of Madeira and many more.

FISHERMAN FRIEND'S THE MUSICAL - VIDEO TRAILERS

Fisherman's Friends The Musical – Press Night

Fisherman's Friends The Musical – Audience Reactions

FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS THE MUSICAL 2023 CAST & CREATIVE - UK TOUR

Casting for the UK tour is as follows:

• Jim – James Gaddas
• Jago– Robert Duncan
• Maggie – Susan Penhaligon
• Alwyn – Parisa Shahmir
• Leadville– Anton Stephans
• Rowan – Dan Buckley
• Dinger – Rakesh Boury
• Wiggy – Pete Gallagher
• Archie – Hadrian Delacey
• Danny–  Jason Langley
• Yestin –  Dominic Brewer
• Leah – Fia Houston-Hamilton
• Sally – Hazel Monaghan
• Arthur – Martin Carroll
• Nessa –  Janet Mooney
• Elys –  Hazel Simmons
• Ben –  Dakota Starr
• Anna –  Hazel Askew
• Morwenna –  Louisa Beadel
• Ann –  Mel Biggs
• Henry – James Findlay
• Bran –  Alfie Gidley
• Grace –  Beccy Hurst
• Eddy –  John O'Mahony
• Owen –  James William-Pattison

• Director – James Grieve
• Writer – Amanda Whittington
• Choreographer – Matt Cole
• Musical Supervisor – David White

Did you find this useful? If so, would you 'Like' our Facebook page?

Thank you we are new, and every 'like' goes a long way :).

• Bournemouth
• Derry / Londonderry
• High Wycombe
• Kingston upon Thames
• Milton Keynes
• Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Northampton
• Peterborough
• Southampton
• Southend-on-Sea
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Wolverhampton

Fisherman's Friends - The Musical

When a group of Cornish fisherman came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, they hoped to raise a few quid for more...

Follow Fisherman's Friends - The Musical on Ents24 to receive updates on any new tour dates the moment they are announced...

• Be the first to know about new tour dates
• Alerts are free and always will be
• We hate spam and will never share your email address with anyone else
• More than a million fans already rely on Ents24 to follow their favourite artists and venues

Fans who like Fisherman's Friends - The Musical also like

Fisherman's Friends

Pop Princesses

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Heathers - The Musical