The world premiere of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice musical will open at HOME in Manchester this Christmas, bringing a new stage adaptation of the classic tale to the city. The production offers a fresh take on Goethe’s poem with a contemporary setting and expanded material.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice musical, written by Richard Hough and Alexander S Bermange, will run at HOME in Manchester from Friday 27 November 2026 until Saturday 2 January 2027. It is directed by Kirk Jameson and produced by James Seabright.

Inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poem, later popularised by Disney’s Fantasia, the musical is set in a Scandinavian town facing collapse. The narrative follows a sorcerer and his apprentice as they attempt to cooperate to avert disaster.

Originally released in a digital format in 2021, the piece has since been developed further for live performance. This stage version includes additional material and will be performed by a cast of ten.

Further casting announcements for the production have not yet been made. The show will premiere for the first time in this fully staged form at HOME, the arts centre known for presenting innovative new work.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice reflects ongoing interest in reimagining classic stories for contemporary audiences. Its fusion of poetry, myth, and musical theatre aligns with a wider trend of new commissions drawing from literary and cultural heritage.