The Ladykillers Opens at West End's Gielgud Theatre Dec. 7 | Playbill

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News The Ladykillers Opens at West End's Gielgud Theatre Dec. 7 The Ladykillers, a new stage version of the iconic 1955 Ealing film comedy that was subsequently remade by the Coen Brothers in 2004 in a version that starred Tom Hanks, officially opens at the West End's Gielgud Theatre Dec. 7 following previews that began Nov. 26.

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Marcia Warren

It follows a regional tryout at Liverpool Playhouse that ran Nov. 3-19. Sean Foley — seen on Broadway in The Play What I Wrote, that he co-wrote and starred in — directs a cast that includes Peter Capaldi, James Fleet, Ben Miller, Clive Rowe, Stephen Wight and Marcia Warren as Mrs. Wilberforce. The play is scripted by TV writer Graham Linehan in his first West End comedy.

According to press materials, The Ladykillers tells the story of the eccentric little old lady Mrs. Wilberforce who lives alone with her parrots in a strange lopsided house in King's Cross. Her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Professor Marcus and his four friends, who between them make up the most unlikely group of criminals. Planning the heist of a security van, they decide to use Mrs. Wilberforce as cover and involve her unwittingly in the plot. Things do not go well and the Professor's plan starts to unravel.

Capaldi is best known for his role as Malcolm Tucker in the television series "The Thick Of It." He has appeared in over 40 television series and films including most recently the ITV series "The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher."

Fleet is most famous for his role as Tom in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and Hugo Horton in "The Vicar of Dibley." He has also appeared in numerous stage productions including Richard Bean's The Heretic at the Royal Court.

Miller is best known as one half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, which has had more than ten television series since they formed in the late 1990s. Miller has also appeared in a variety of other TV series and films including "Primeval" (ITV), "The Parole Officer" (with Steve Coogan) and "Johnny English" (with Rowan Atkinson). Rowe has appeared on BBC Children's TV as the Duke in "The Story of Tracy Beaker." His stage roles include Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre, and he has regularly played the pantomime dame at Hackney Empire.

Wight won the Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer in the Evening Standard Awards for his performances in Don Juan In Soho at the Donmar Warehouse, and has also appeared in Dealer's Choice both at the Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End and made his National Theatre debut in 2004 in Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads.

Warren has won two Olivier Awards for roles in Stepping Out and Humble Boy. She has been seen on TV in "Hattie."

Linehan, who has adapted The Ladykillers for the stage, is best known for his work on the TV comedy series "Father Ted" and "The IT Crowd." In partnership with Arthur Mathews, Linehan has also written for Harry Enfield, Smith and Jones, Alexei Sayle, "The Fast Show" and Steve Coogan. His solo writing credits include work with Chris Morris on "Brass Eye," "Blue Jam and Jam" and co-writing the first series of "Black Books" with Dylan Moran. The original Oscar-nominated screenplay for "The Ladykillers" was by William Rose.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 482 5130, or visit www.theladykillers.co.uk.

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The cast of The Ladykillers
 
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