Announcing a thrilling new London production of the classic satire of big business, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, featuring Michelle Visage as the voice of ‘The Book’

Announcing a thrilling new London production

of the classic satire of big business,

How to Succeed in Business  Without Really Trying

featuring Michelle Visage

as the voice of ‘The Book’

‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ is a comic gem that took Broadway by storm in 1961, winning both the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize. It was revived twice on Broadway in acclaimed productions starring Matthew Broderick and Daniel Radcliffe.

A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, it follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant “company man”, the office party, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.

‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ boasts an exhilarating score by Frank Loesser – one of America’s great composer/lyricists also responsible for ‘Guys & Dolls’ – including ‘I Believe in You’, ‘Brotherhood of Man’ and ‘The Company Way’.

Featuring Michelle Visage (‘Ru Paul’s Drag Race’) as the voice of ‘The Book’.

Cast to be announced.

Director Georgie Rankcom (‘Anyone Can Whistle’ at the same venue) said: ‘This show has always intrigued me and to have the chance to bring it to life at Southwark Playhouse is incredibly exciting. We hope that this version will resonate with a new generation of theatergoers who will see just how brilliant and incisive the piece really is. Existing fans of the show will see and hear everything they love but presented by a cast and team who represent the society that we live in now. We plan to find new and exciting talents to bring this story to life as it’s never been seen before. We’re excited to embrace the absurdity of the show through a modern lens, whilst retaining all the wit and DNA of the original. Expect big laughs, big musical numbers and big heart, all in a small space that allows you to feel like you’re a part of the action.”

Creative Team

Director Georgie Rankcom (they/them)
Choreographer Alexzandra Sarmiento (she/her)
Musical Director Natalie Pound (she/her)
Set and Costume Designer Sophia Pardon (she/her)
Lighting Designer Lucía Sánchez Roldán (she/her)
Sound Designer Jake Johnson (he/him)
Orchestrator Stuart Morley (he/him)
Stage Manager Waverley Moran (she/they)
Production Manager Misha Mah (they/them)
Casting Director Peter Noden (he/him)
Producer / General Manager Jodee Conrad (she/her)

Big Con Productions and The Grey Area
present

Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows’

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock
& Willie Gilbert
Based on the novel by Shepherd Mead

Southwark Playhouse Borough
77-85 Newington Causeway,
London
SE1 6BD

12 May – 17 June 2023

7:30pm Mon-Sat
3pm Tues & Sat

Tickets
£16 Previews
£28 Concessions
£35 Standard

Social Media:

Twitter/Instagram/ TikTok
@SucceedLDN

Originally presented by Cy Feuer and Ernest H. Martin in association with Frank Productions

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International