WEST END TRANSFER ANNOUNCED FOR
The Boys in the Band
BY MART CROWLEY
FOLLOWING A SELL-OUT RUN AT PARK THEATRE AND SHORT UK TOUR
Producers Tom O’Connell and James Seabright are thrilled to announce a West End transfer for their sell-out production of Mart Crowley’s ground-breaking play, THE BOYS IN THE BAND, opening at the Vaudeville Theatre on 7 February 2017, playing for a limited two week season until 18 February, with a press night on Wednesday 8 February.
There’s a party about to commence when nine men gather in a New York apartment for a birthday celebration. Harold, a self-confessed ‘Jew fairy’, receives a surprise birthday gift – a beautiful male hustler dubbed Cowboy. Meanwhile, party host Michael gets an unwanted surprise of his own in the shape of a figure from his past. As the booze is drunk and the dope smoked, the mood swings from hilarity to heart-break.
Mark Gatiss brings stinging superciliousness to landmark gay play.’ ★★★★ Daily Telegraph
‘Raucous laughter… thoroughly fulfilling.’ ★★★★ The Independent
The Boys in the Band sold out its entire five week run at Park Theatre, garnered critical and public acclaim, and subsequently enjoyed a brief UK tour to Salford, Brighton and Leeds. Directed by Adam Penford (A Small Family Business & One Man Two Guvnors’, and recently appointed Artistic Director of the Nottingham Playhouse), the production stars Olivier Award winner Mark Gatiss as ‘Harold’ alongside his husband Ian Hallard as ‘Michael’ – this will represent the first time in West End history that a male married couple will appear on stage together.
‘Still timeless and universal.’ ★★★★ Mail on Sunday
‘Out on stage and proud. Glorious!’ ★★★★ Metro
West End musical theatre star Daniel Boys plays alongside them as ‘Donald’, Jack Derges, recently seen as the mysterious ‘Andy Flynn’ in EastEnders, plays ‘Cowboy’, Miranda star James Holmes plays ‘Emory’, Midsomer Murders’ John Hopkins plays ‘Alan’, Greg Lockett plays ‘Bernard’, Primeval’s Ben Mansfield plays ‘Larry’, and Undercover’s Nathan Nolan plays ‘Hank’.
Producer Tom O’Connell said, “James and I are thrilled that audiences have taken this show to their hearts in such a big way; with limited availability from our stellar cast I am pleased that we have found a suitable West End home for this fantastic production. We also have over 150 tickets available at every performance at £20, making it accessible for all to enjoy. With only 15 performances, this really is the last chance to catch the play which shook the LGBT world.”
‘I was rapt. Parties that go wrong are often the stuff of great drama and this play, directed with panache by Adam Penford, is no exception.’ ★★★★ Observer
Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard said, “We’ve had an amazing time bringing this great play to a whole new generation of theatre-goers. The response from audiences, young and old, gay and straight has proved that ‘Boys’ retains its power to move people to laughter and tears. It’s wonderful to say that we’ll be capping the experience with a West End transfer – so the party continues!”
From the producers of the critically acclaimed revivals of Beautiful Thing, Our Boys and Another Country, and the forthcoming stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, comes this eagerly anticipated revival of Mart Crowley’s seminal piece, which premiered in 1968 just before the Stonewall riots. This witty, dark American play which changed the landscape of gay theatre was adapted into a film in 1970, becoming a cult hit. The play was last revived in New York in 2010, and this UK revival marks almost 20 years since the last West End production.
The production is produced by Tom O’Connell and James Seabright, in association with Kings Head Theatre, Jack Maple and Park Theatre. Design by Rebecca Brower, with Sound design by James Nicholson and Lighting design by Jack Weir; casting is by Stephen Moore CDG.
The production has partnered with Gay Times, Stonewall & Balans Soho Society, and has worked closely with Chester Barrie, Delicious Junction and Gabicci as fashion partners.
Tag the production on social media:
@BoysBandPlay
BoysBandPlay.com