Grace’s Satchel Post: A Right Royal Fanny!
“You’re not stupid for wanting things to change, Fanny – it’s just that we have to play the music that gets handed to us.”
Oh, if that doesn’t sum up half the women in history, I don’t know what does. But here comes a show determined to rip up the old song sheet and scribble in some new notes of its own.
Full casting has been announced for FANNY, Calum Finlay’s riotous comedy, directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, landing at the King’s Head Theatre this autumn (Friday 10 October – Saturday 15 November, with a press night on Thursday 16 October). Mark your diaries, polish your pearls, and get ready to cheer on a woman who deserves more than a polite round of applause.
About King’s Head Theatre (aka Fanny’s London Home)
Ah, the King’s Head. For 53 years it was squashed in the back room of a pub on Upper Street, sharing space with the odd pool cue and plenty of pint glasses. In 2024, it finally got its own shiny new purpose-built theatre in Islington Square — complete with a 200-seat auditorium, a 50-seat cabaret space, and enough flexibility to host anything from opera to drag.
This is a place with proper pedigree. Everyone from Alan Rickman to Dawn French, Hugh Grant to Victoria Wood, cut their teeth here. It’s been a launchpad for Olivier-winning opera, immersive Trainspotting, and a rainbow of queer, joyful, irreverent theatre. If walls could talk, the old pub would’ve needed a swear jar the size of a swimming pool. The theatre showcases a lot of LGBTQ+ work which explores the full spectrum of experiences symbolised by the rainbow flag. It is a home for a new wave of theatre makers, with a focus on work which is joyful, irreverent, colourful & queer.
Now, the new building is carrying the legacy forward — working with artists like Rob Madge, Luke Bayer, and Rosie Day. It’s still got that scrappy, risk-taking DNA, but with wheelchair access and better lighting (thank goodness). A perfect palace, then, for a certain forgotten composer to finally make her mark.
Meet Fanny Mendelssohn
You’ve probably heard of her brother Felix – he of The Wedding March fame, beloved by brides and brass bands everywhere. Queen Victoria herself even hummed along to one of “his” favourites. Trouble is… it wasn’t his. It was Fanny’s. But like many a talented woman, her brilliance was tucked away under a brother’s name tag.
So when a letter arrives inviting Felix back to England to premiere a new orchestral piece for the Queen, Fanny does what any determined big sister might do: she hides the post and heads off to the palace herself! Honestly, if Grace Hatchell ever intercepted my letters, I’d only end up with bills and takeaway menus.
A Comedy With Bite (and a Noble Call)
This isn’t just a giggle with corsets and candlelight. It’s an irreverent, sharp, music-soaked romp that gives Fanny Mendelssohn her rightful place centre stage. And in a glorious twist, each performance ends with a Noble Call — inviting female-identifying musicians of all stripes to step up, play a piece, and continue Fanny’s legacy. Honestly, if you’ve got three chords and a bit of courage, this is your chance to sign up and shine.
The Cast (Prepare to Name-Drop)
The fabulous Charlie Russell (Mischief co-founder, The Goes Wrong Show, A Comedy About Spies) reprises her turn as Fanny. She’s joined by:
- Daniel Abbott as Felix (yes, the brother who borrowed more than sugar).
- Kim Ismay (Wicked, Elf The Musical) as Lea.
- Jeremy Lloyd (The Play That Goes Wrong, both West End and Broadway) as Paul.
- Danielle Phillips (The Merry Wives of Windsor, Globe) as Rebecka.
- Riad Richie (Anna Karenina, Chichester; Of Mice and Men, Birmingham Rep) as Wilhelm.
Behind them is a cracking creative team led by McDonough, with music by Yshani Perinpanayagam, costumes and sets by Sophia Pardon, and lighting by David Howe. Even the stage management team has names worth a bow.
Why This Matters
Let’s be honest — women have been elbowed out of their own history books, their signatures rubbed out, their ideas signed off by someone else. FANNY isn’t just a comedy. It’s a clap-back across the centuries, a reminder that talent deserves credit, no matter who’s holding the pen (or the quill, or the violin bow).
So, to all the Fannys of the world: we see you, we hear you, and we’ll keep stamping your letters with APPROVED until the ink runs dry.
Grace’s advice?
Don’t miss this one. Bring your girlfriends, your aunties, your mum — heck, bring your brother too. Let’s make sure this Fanny gets the standing ovation she’s owed.
TITLE: Fanny
DATES: King’s Head Theatre, 116b Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1QN
DATES: 10 October – 15 November 2025
PRESS NIGHT: Thursday 16 October, 7.30pm
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Tuesday to Friday, 7.30pm, Saturday 3.00pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 3.00pm
RUNTIME: Approx 2 hours inc interval
AGE RECOMMENDATION: TBC
BOX OFFICE (ONLINE): https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/fanny-qft1
Meet the Cast of FANNY
Right then, time to rummage in the satchel and pull out some proper gems: the cast of FANNY. And let me tell you, this lot are more sparkly than a sequinned jumpsuit on Eurovision night.
Charlie Russell | Fanny & Creative Associate
Charlie Russell is back in the bonnet as Fanny — and she’s no stranger to Mischief (literally, she co-founded the blooming company). She’s played everything from Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong (West End, Broadway, the BBC, probably your nan’s living room if you asked nicely) to Caprice in Comedy About a Bank Robbery. She even took a solo show to Edinburgh, Charlie Russell Aims to Please — and judging by the reviews, she did exactly that.
On top of being a cracking actor, Charlie’s been a creative associate for FANNY since its Watermill days, and a comedy consultant for everyone from Sister Act to the RSC. Basically, she’s the sort of woman who could steal your crown jewels, make you laugh about it, and then direct the police re-enactment.
Daniel Abbott | Felix
Every sibling drama needs a brother, and Daniel Abbott is stepping in as Felix. Fresh out of LAMDA and straight into the RSC, Mischief tours, and TV credits galore, he’s got that proper leading man CV. You might have seen him in Holby City (probably with fewer pianos) or in Marcella being all mysterious. Perfect casting really — the charming brother who hogged the spotlight while his sister did the genius bit.
Kim Ismay | Lea
Now here’s a legend. Kim Ismay has done everything from Wicked (yes, Madame Morrible herself) to Mamma Mia!, Elf, and an award-winning one-woman show. She’s shared stages with queens, witches, and ABBA impersonators, so tackling nineteenth-century drama in FANNY is just Tuesday for her. If there’s a stage, Kim’s probably lit it up.
Jeremy Lloyd | Paul
Jeremy Lloyd was an original in Mischief’s Comedy About a Bank Robbery, which means he knows exactly how to fall over furniture with style. His CV stretches from Shakespeare to radio musicals to Spike at the Watermill, with a few trips to Belfast and Broadway along the way. On screen he’s popped up in everything from ITV dramas to Lionsgate films — so if you’ve ever thought “ooh, I know him from somewhere,” you’re probably right.
Danielle Phillips | Rebecka
Danielle Phillips has just finished a summer at Shakespeare’s Globe playing multiple roles in The Merry Wives of Windsor — and bagged herself an Ian Charleson commendation while she was at it. Not bad going. She’s also a writer with a debut play Children of the Night heading out on tour in 2026. Yes, she acts, she writes, she wins awards. Show-off.
Riad Richie | Wilhelm
Riad Richie’s done everything from Anna Karenina at Chichester to Of Mice and Men at Birmingham Rep, and about half the RSC’s back catalogue in between. He’s also Deputy Artistic Director at Box Clever Theatre, proving that some people don’t just act in plays — they run the whole show. On screen he’s been in Casualty, Vikings: Valhalla, and House of David. If you see him in the corner scribbling, don’t panic, it’s probably his radio script
About the Author
can’t wait!