The production will begin performances there Jan. 6, 2009, prior to an official opening Jan. 7, for a six-week run to Feb. 17.

Described in publicity materials as "everyone's favourite figure of the punk generation," Dury (who died in 2000) is best known as founder and lead singer of the late 70s/early 80s British band Ian Dury and the Blockheads, whose hits included "What a Waste," " Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick" (which was a U.K. number one hit), "Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3" and "Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll" (a title that is credited with introducing the phrase to the language).

The play is described as a "warts-and-all" portrait of a man who publicly was a cheeky chappie and purveyor of saucy lyrics, but privately was a flawed maestro wrestling with demons. Starting in 1980, Hit Me! looks at three periods in Dury's life - the man at the top of his game, the man who nearly blew it and the man who gave his best to everything. In all these three periods his great lyrical dexterity was always to the forefront and never deserted him. By his side throughout too was his minder, tour manager and loyal friend, ex-con Fred "Spider" Rowe who knew him better than most. The show is described as a lighthearted but touching exploration of their friendship interspersed with Dury's hit songs that sheds light on the often turbulent life of one of British rock and roll's best-loved characters.

Dury is played by Jud Charlton and Fred Rowe by Josh Darcy.

To book tickets contact the box office at 0844 847 2475.