The musician is to debut as a theatre composer for W Somerset Maugham’s 1926 comedy adapted by Laura Wade and directed by Tamara Harvey
Jamie Cullum is to make his debut as a theatre composer for the Royal Shakespeare Company this summer. The pianist, singer and broadcaster will provide the music for a new version of W Somerset Maugham’s 1926 drawing-room comedy The Constant Wife, adapted by Laura Wade and staged by the RSC’s co-artistic director Tamara Harvey.
“I am thrilled to be composing the music for The Constant Wife and so excited to be working in theatre like this for the first time,” said Cullum. “As a composer who often works within the jazz genre, I am very familiar with the idea of evolving traditions and searching for new ways to play classic material. I feel honoured that the brilliant RSC are entrusting me with this opportunity to bring some musical ingenuity to Laura’s deliciously funny and subversive adaptation.”
Maugham’s comedy of manners follows the quick-witted Constance Middleton, who asserts her independence after acknowledging the longstanding affair between her husband and her best friend. The RSC production stars Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones) as Constance, billed as “a 1920s heroine with a decidedly modern spirit”. Further casting is yet to be announced.
Harvey said that Cullum “has invigorated contemporary jazz and engaged a new generation of listeners. Who better to help us create the world of The Constant Wife, 100 years after it was written? Laura Wade has injected this brilliant classic play with her modern sparkle and bite and Jamie’s music promises to bring another dimension to the story. I’m so excited to see where we go together – it’s already sounding incredible.”
Harvey previously collaborated with Wade on the comedy Home, I’m Darling, which won an Olivier award in 2019. The pair, who met at Bristol University, collaborated early in their careers, with Harvey directing Wade’s plays 16 Winters at Bristol Old Vic in 2000 and Young Emma at the Finborough in London in 2003. Wade, who had a huge hit with the play Posh (filmed as The Riot Club), recently adapted Jilly Cooper’s bonkbuster Rivals for television. The Constant Wife will have a set design by Anna Fleischle and costumes designed by Fleischle and Cat Fuller.
Maugham’s original play, a flop when it was first staged, has been rarely revived by England’s major theatres in recent years. Susie Trayling played Constance in a Salisbury Playhouse production in 2011 and Jenny Seagrove took the role in the West End in 2002.
The Constant Wife will run at the Swan theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 20 June to 2 August.
Jamie Cullum to compose music for RSC’s The Constant Wife starring Rose Leslie – The Guardian
