John Brittain’s Rotterdam, which won the 2017 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre following its run at Trafalgar Studios 2, after originating at South London’s Theatre 503, is to return to London, beginning performances June 21 prior to an official opening June 22 at the Arts Theatre. It is currently running at Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theaters through June 10 as part of the annual Brits Off Broadway season.

Anna Martine Freeman, Alice McCarthy, Ed Eales-White, and Ellie Morris reprise their roles in Donnacadh O’Briain’s production.

In the play, Alice wants to come out as a lesbian. Her girlfriend Fiona wants to start living as a man. It’s the New Year in Rotterdam, and Alice has finally plucked up the courage to email her parents and tell them she’s gay. But before she can hit send, Fiona reveals that he has always identified as male and now wants to start living as a man named Adrian. Now, as Adrian confronts the reality of his transition, Alice faces a question she never thought she’d ask... does this mean she’s straight?

The playwright was inspired to write Rotterdam after a couple of his friends transitioned in the late 2000s. He became aware of the absence of transgender stories in pop culture and wanted to address this on the stage. Through writing this show, he researched and consulted widely, including talking to trans people and their partners, conducting a reading for members of the trans communities, and discussing the show with various organizations, including Trans Media Watch, who then endorsed Rotterdam, and the charity Gendered Intelligence, who the company dedicated their Olivier Award to.

The production is designed by Ellan Parry, with lighting by Richard Williamson and sound by Keegan Curran. It is produced by Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook for Hartshorn - Hook Productions.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7836 8463 or visit artstheatrewestend.co.uk.

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