Grace Mouat and Ashley Day join Shanghai staging of Great Comet musical
The Shanghai Grand Theatre will host a concert staging of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 from 15 to 24 May 2026, featuring Grace Mouat and Ashley Day in key roles. This production marks the musical’s return to Shanghai following its 2024 fully staged English-language run.
The concert edition of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 returns to Shanghai Grand Theatre with performances running from 15 to 24 May 2026. The production restores the song “The Private and Intimate Life of the House,” which was cut from the 2024 staging.
The musical, created by Dave Malloy and adapted from a section of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, originally premiered at Ars Nova in New York before transferring to Broadway in 2016. It garnered 12 Tony Award nominations, winning for scenic and lighting design, and later received six Olivier nominations for its UK debut.
The Shanghai production debuted in 2024 as a fully staged English-language show, a collaboration between Shanghai Grand Theatre’s Creative Center, West Bund Grand Theatre and Changyang Culture. This new concert staging features a redesigned set by Wang Shiqing, incorporating a “comet trajectory” visual concept with multimedia elements while retaining major sequences like “The Ball” and Balaga’s scenes.
Returning cast members include Cooper Grodin as Pierre Bezukhov, Bex Odorisio as Hélène, Kaye Tuckerman as Marya D and Damon J Gillespie as Balaga. New additions Grace Mouat and Ashley Day take on the roles of Natasha Rostova and Anatole respectively.
The Chinese ensemble features Chen Yuting and Guo Yaorong alternating as Sonya, Su Jiangtao in the roles of Andrey and Old Prince Bolkonsky, Li Zemei as Mary, and Zhai Lishuotian portraying Dolokhov. Performances will be delivered in English with Chinese subtitles.
The creative team supports the production with associate director Liu Yang, music consultant Fiz Shapur, music supervisor Zhao Jiyun, music director Matthew Liu and choreographers Tang Jie and Song Mingming. Shanghai Grand Theatre will also host talks, workshops and partnership events with cultural organisations and universities throughout the city alongside the run.
