Cast announced for regional premiere of Fun Home at the Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange Theatre announces the cast for the regional premiere of the Tony-Award  winning musical FUN HOME, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The  musical’s Northern debut, which marks the 20th anniversary of Alison Bechdel’s iconic graphic  novel, is directed by former Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom who is making her  ‘Homecoming’ to the theatre in its 50^th anniversary season of the same name.

FUN HOME is an exhilarating and heartbreaking musical about coming out and coming of age.  Cartoonist Alison Bechdel, played by Jodie McNee, takes audiences on a journey into her childhood  memories remembering what it’s like to grow up in a funeral home, undergo a sexual awakening in  college, and try to make sense of the secrets at the heart of her family, including her dad Bruce Bechdel  played by Olivier-award winning stage and screen actor Nigel Harman.  

This groundbreaking modern masterpiece is a tale of grief and love, queer tragedy and queer joy, told  through soaring, revelatory songs and runs in in the Exchange’s iconic round from 3 July to 1 August  2026.

Returning to the Royal Exchange after performances in NORA: A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE NIGHT WATCH,  HAMLET, ORPHEUS DESCENDING, and A TASTE OF HONEY, Jodie McNee (KING LEAR, Globe Theatre;  Orlando, Garrick Theatre; ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE, Royal Court Theatre) will be portraying Alison  Bechdel opposite award-winning actor Nigel Harman (SHREK, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; GUYS AND  DOLLS, Picadilly Theatre; EASTENDERS, BBC; DOWNTOWN ABBEY, ITV) who is joining the production as  Bruce Bechdel.  

Alice Audrey O’Hanlon (BILLY ELLIOT, Victoria Palace; MAMMA MIA!, Novello Theatre) will take on the  role of Medium Alison, while Small Alison will be played alternately by Lillie Babb (TILL THE STARS COME  DOWN, National Theatre; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, HOME Manchester; LES MISERABLES, UK Tour),  Felicity L.J. Moore (LOVE LIFE, Leeds Grand Theatre; A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, Regional  Tour/Leeds Grand Theatre; LES MISÉRABLES, Leeds Grand Theatre) and Harriet O’Shea (MIRACLE ON  34TH STREET, HOME Theatre; HOLLYOAKS, Channel 4). 

Returning to the Royal Exchange following her performance in INTO THE WOODS in 2015, Natasha  Cottriall (HENRY VIII, Globe Theatre; THE WELKIN, National Theatre) steps into the role of Joan, while What’s On Stage Award nominee Alex Young (STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE, Sheffield  Crucible/National Theatre; STRANGER THINGS, Phoenix Theatre) joins the cast as Helen Bechdel, and  Lucca Chadwick-Patel (MEAN GIRLS, Savoy Theatre; MAMMA MIA!, Novello Theatre; LEGALLY BLONDE  Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) joins as Roy / Bobby / Mark / Pete.  

Reggie Kempson (LES MISÉRABLES, World Tour; BLUE PETER, CBBC), Finley Litchfield and Reuben  Shepherd both making their professional stage debut at the Royal Exchange will be playing the role of  John at alternate performances, similarly to Arthur Lyons (PETER PAN, PHA), Morris McKinley making  his professional debut and Theo Wake (MACBETH, Harold Pinter Theatre; LES MISÉRABLES, Sondheim  Theatre; OLIVER!, Leeds Playhouse) who will be playing Christian. 

The cast is completed by Jennifer Caldwell (PINOCCHIO, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; SIX THE MUSICAL, UK, Ireland & Korea Tour/Arts Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre; MAMMA MIA!, Prince of  Wales Theatre/Novello Theatre) as Offstage cover for Alison, Medium Alison, Helen & Joan, and Alfie  Richards (THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, UK Tour; TREASON, London Palladium/UK Tour)  as Offstage cover for Bruce and Roy / Bobby / Pete / Mark. 

The creative team includes Choreographer & Intimacy Director Jenni Jackson; Music Supervisor  Matthew Malone, who makes a welcome return to the Royal Exchange following SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN;  Designer Peter Butler, who returns to the Royal Exchange following his productions of A TASTE OF  HONEY and ABIGAIL’S PARTY; Lighting Designer Bethany Gupwell; Sound Designer Tony Gayle; 

Associate Director Emma Baggott; and Casting Director Natalie Gallacher CDG (for Pippa Ailion and  Natalie Gallacher Casting).

Fun home plays at Royal Exchange Theatre 3 July – 1 August 2026. Tickets are available here.