West End Transfer of McQueen Delayed; Previews Now Begin Aug. 22 | Playbill

News West End Transfer of McQueen Delayed; Previews Now Begin Aug. 22 James Phillips' McQueen has delayed the previously announced start of previews in its transfer to the West End's Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Originally due to begin Aug. 13, it will now begin performances Aug. 22, prior to an official opening Aug. 27, for a limited run through Nov. 7.

The play about the late fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen received its world premiere at London's St. James Theatre in May.

In a press statement, the producers commented, "With all the changes that were being made to the production for the transfer to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, we needed a longer technical rehearsal period than we'd originally allowed in the schedule and, in order to be totally ready to present the production in front of an audience, we took the difficult decision to cancel the first few previews.

Stephen Wight is reprising his original performance in the title role, newly joined by Carly Bawden as Dahlia, originated by Dianna Agron but who is not transferring owing to filming commitments. Reprising their roles as Isabella Blow and Arabella will be Tracy-Ann Oberman and Laura Rees, respectively. Michael Bertenshaw will be joining the cast as Mr. Hitchcock.

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Alexander McQueen

In a press statement, Janet McQueen, one of McQueen's sisters, commented of the play, "It was as though the play and Stephen's performance brought Lee back to me again. I felt as though he was real again for me."

For the transfer to the West End, scenes have been rewritten and an interval has been added. Playwright Phillips commented, "I'm so delighted to have McQueen in the West End, and to take this opportunity to refine some things from the original production. For me, it's also thrilling that we’re going into the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as it was in this theatre that I had my first ever professional job, a few months after leaving college. I was a peasant – a silent role! – in Miss Julie starring Christopher Eccleston, Aisling O’Sullivan and Maxine Peake that Thelma Holt produced. It really is one of the most beautiful theatres I’ve ever been in." The production is directed by John Caird, co-director of the original production of Les Miserables, still running at the Queen's Theatre and the longest-running musical in West End history. It is designed by David Farley, with choreography by Christopher Marney, video design by Tim Bird, lighting design by David Howe, sound design by John Leonard, wigs designed by Linda McKnight and casting by Kate Plantin CDG & Jayne Collins CDG.

It is produced at the Theatre Royal Haymarket by Robert Mackintosh, AMIR Ltd, Hilary A. Williams, Deborah Negri, with Julian Stoneman as executive producer, for and on behalf of McQ Productions Ltd.



To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7930 8800 or visit McQueenThePlay.com for more details.

 
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