News of the transfer comes after the announcement that the show’s Off-Broadway debut is to be delayed because of concerns about the play’s political content.

For the West End run of 36 performances — due to finish May 7 — Megan Dodds will reprise her solo performance in the title role.

The play is based on the writings of American pro-Palestinian protestor Rachel Corrie, who was killed in 2003 by an Israeli bulldozer as she attempted to prevent the destruction of a Palestinian home in Gaza. The work was adapted from Corrie’s writings by actor Alan Rickman — who directs the piece — and journalist Katherine Vine.

The controversial play was expected to receive an Off-Broadway mounting at New York Theatre Workshop on March 22. In a statement to Playbill.com, NYTW’s James C. Nicola said, "As the artistic director of New York Theatre Workshop for 18 years, I have worked to help our audiences and our community engage in an open and civil discourse on issues of our time. Our purpose for being is to create the most conducive place for these conversations; we have chosen the artists who lead these conversations with great care."

The statement went on to say that there were fears that factions on both sides of the political conflict would use the production for their own agendas. The New York Times reported that Rickman, who was last seen on Broadway in Private Lives and has appeared in the Harry Potter films, already bought plane tickets to see the New York production.

Dodds was last seen on the London stage in the Donmar production of Neil LaBute's This Is How It Goes.

For more information on My Name Is Rachel Corrie, call (0)870 0606631.