A new adaptation of an award-winning novel retelling the Orpheus myth is coming to York Theatre Royal next month.
Pilot Theatre, in association with York Theatre Royal and Northern Stage, are set to stage Zoe Cooper’s adaptation of acclaimed novelist David Almond’s A Song for Ella Grey – a tale of modern friends and ancient forces, a tale told since the dawn of time and told again today.
A Song for Ella Grey is at York Theatre Royal from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 February.
The cast features Grace Long, an actress, writer and celebrated TikTok creator, with a following of 729.1k. Beth Crame, Jonathan Iceton, Amonik Melaco, and Olivia Onyehara are also set to star.
David Almond is one of the most prolific and highly acclaimed writers of novels for children and young adults. His novels have included Skellig, Kit’s Wilderness, My Name is Mina, Joe Quinn’s Poltergeist, The Tightrope Walkers and many more novels, stories, picture books, plays, songs and opera libretti.
His work has been translated into over 40 languages and has won a string of major awards around the world. In 2022 he was awarded an OBE for services to literature.
David Almond said: “A Song for Ella Grey is so close to my heart. The novel itself came with great force, demanding to be told. It’s my version of the great Orpheus myth, which has been told many times in many forms and will be told forever more.
“This version takes place in ordinary North Eastern streets, on wild North Eastern beaches, among ordinary Northeastern teenagers. Hades lies just beneath the city. Orpheus appears on the shores of the North Sea. Ella Grey and her dear friends are drawn rapidly into this ancient tale of love and death, of music and joy.
“I’m so thrilled that Pilot Theatre and Zoe Cooper are bringing the tale to the stage.”
Tickets start from £15 and are available via the York Theatre Royal website.