McQueen transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket
FOLLOWING both audience and critical acclaim during its run at St James Theatre, McQueen is transferring to the West End – to the Theatre Royal Haymarket where it runs for a strictly limited season from August 19 to November 7, 2015.
Described as more than a bio-play, McQueen steps into the fairy story landscape of McQueen’s mind, the landscape seen in his immortal shows where, with a dress, an urchin can become an Amazon, where beauty might just help us survive the night.
McQueen is set on a single London night.
A girl has watched McQueen’s Mayfair house for eleven consecutive days. Tonight she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house, to steal a dress, to become someone special. He catches her but, instead of calling the police, they embark on a journey through London and into his heart.
Written by James Phillips (The Rubinstein Kiss, Hampstead Theatre, Hidden in the Sand, Trafalgar Studios) and directed by John Caird (Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company), McQueen is described as a beautiful and haunting voyage into the visionary imagination and dark dream world of the late Alexander McQueen, fashion’s greatest contemporary artist.
McQueen stars award-winning actor Stephen Wight, whose theatre credits include The Habit of Art (National Theatre) and The Ladykillers (West End). He was also named Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for his performances in Michael Grandage’s production of Don Juan in Soho and Samuel West’s production of Dealer’s Choice.
The role of Dahlia will be played by Carly Bawden (Assassins and Pippin, Menier Chocolate Factory, Whistle Down the Wind and Evita on tour). The role was originated by Dianna Agron, who will be unavailable for the West End run due to ‘filming commitments’.
Reprising their roles as Isabella Blow and Arabella will be Tracy-Ann Oberman and Laura Rees respectively. And joining them as Mr Hitchcock will be Michael Bertenshaw, with further casting for the West End transfer to be announced.
Scenes have been rewritten and an interval added for the West End transfer.
Alexander McQueen, CBE (March 17, 1969 – February 11, 2010) was a British fashion designer and couturier. He is known for having worked as chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001 and for founding his own Alexander McQueen label. His achievements in fashion earned him four British Designer of the Year awards (1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003), as well as the CFDA’s International Designer of the Year award in 2003.
For more information or to book, visit www.trh.co.uk/whatson/mcqueen/.
The Elephant Man, starring Bradley Cooper as John Merrick, continues at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until August 8, 2015.