What’s the story behind The Sorcerer’s Apprentice musical?
The lore behind the highly-awaited new musical...
This Christmas, HOME is proud to present The Sorcerer’s Apprentice musical between Fri 27 Nov – Sat 2 Jan.
This brand-new musical will debut on stage at HOME, following on from its earlier digital version that won worldwide acclaim in 2021. A talented cast of ten will bring the story to life – but what is the story behind The Sorcerer’s Apprentice?
If it’s time to plan your Christmas show for 2026 (earlybird!), you might be wondering what to expect and what the story is all about…
So, let’s journey back and unpack where the story first originates:
1700s: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe writes a poem
In 1797, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - one of the most influential German poets of all time - wrote a ballad poem entitled “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”.
Split into 14 stanzas, the poem paints the scene of an old sorcerer who leaves his apprentice with chores to perform. Tired of manually heaving water pails, the apprentice enchants a broom to magically carry out his tasks – with chaotic consequences.
Following frantic scenes of overflowing water and multiplying brooms, the sorcerer returns to break the spell. The poem served as a cautionary tale that power must be wielded carefully, and with wisdom.
With captivating scenes of magic and drama, the poem went on to inspire many more works…
1800s: Composer Dukas pens a symphony
In 1897, French composer Paul Dukas was so enchanted by the poem, he went on to create a symphonic poem in its honour.
Dukas published the poem alongside the orchestral score, and – within the music – closely followed the events set out in Goethe’s poem.
The symphony became a popular concert piece, and has since become Dukas’ best-known work. This is largely due to its references in films throughout the following century…
1900s: Disney animates the scene in Fantasia
In 1937, Disney acquired the rights to Dukas’ symphony.
With those rights, they later used the symphony to accompany an animated depiction of Goethe’s poem in the 1940 film Fantasia.
This scene featured again in the revived Fantasia 2000, as the only segment from the original Fantasia to appear in the film. If you’ve ever watched Fantasia, you’ll remember Mickey Mouse – as the apprentice – trying to control multiple brooms, set to Dukas’ intense musical symphony.
This same scene was later referenced in other films, perhaps most notably The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – the Nic Cage-led film in 2010.
2000s: A new digital play emerges in 2021
In 2021, Seabright Live (a theatre company headed up by James Seabright) developed a musical called The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which also took inspiration from the original Goethe poem.
Seabright Live has produced around 250 shows since 2001, including the Olivier-award winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, which continues its roaring success in the West End.
As theatres were closed due to the COVID pandemic in 2021, the play premiered on streaming platforms, to worldwide acclaim. Due to popular demand, it returned for an encore season.
In this digital play, audiences loved a new, gender-swapped twist on the timeless tale. A father (the sorcerer) and his daughter (the apprentice) live in a small town powered by the Northern Lights, where its finite resources are threatened by corporate greed.
The premise? “To rescue their town from destruction, the sorcerer and his daughter must work out how to make magic together – and fast…”
Like the Goethe poem, the play explored themes about the potential danger of magic – and takes a modern look into who should wield power.
In a rich, funny, and heartwarming take on the tale, audiences end up rooting for a father and daughter to put aside their differences and work together. The digital release won over audiences and gained excellent reviews:
“Utterly enchanting in every way… reminds us just how magical musical theatre can be.” Theatre Weekly
‘Properly charming contemporary fairytale… full of romance and magic.’ The Stage
Coming soon: a live stage adaptation at HOME
Five years later, and thankfully no theatre closures in place, James Seabright revamps the same production for where it belongs: on stage.
Bringing onboard director Kirk Jameson (who directed Madagascar The Musical, and Song from Far Away), and composer Alexander S. Bermange (I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical), we can expect stunning music and astonishing spectacles of magic – premiering at HOME this Christmas.
Alexander S. Bermange is a highly acclaimed and award-winning composer, whose songs have won over West End and Broadway audiences, and performed by international stars including Cynthia Erivo. He will be creating entirely new music for this updated version of the show, so we can expect to be blown away by the soundtrack.
This gripping family-friendly story will see brooms coming to life and love blossoming anew, as apprentice Eva discovers the explosive possibilities of her newfound magical powers, leaving havoc, catastrophe and joy in her wake.
Building upon the success of its digital release in 2021, we can expect the same humour and feelgood story – but with extra sparkle on stage.
The play will enchant audiences at HOME between Fri 27 Nov – Sat 2 Jan, making it a perfect festive show for all the family.