The Alexander McQueen biopic will transfer to the Theatre Royal Haymarket this August, following its successful run at the St James Theatre. Stephen Wight will reprise his role as the fashion designer in James Phillip’s play, alongside Carly Bawden (Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Dahlia for the West End run from 13 August–7 November. Wight originally starred alongside Glee’s Dianna Agron when the show premiered in May.
Taking audiences on a journey into the visionary imagination of one of Britain’s most legendary designers, McQueen follows the story of a girl who climbs down from the tree in which she’s been watching him and breaks into McQueen’s Mayfair home to steal a dress. Catching her in the act, McQueen has the chance to call the police but instead they embark on a journey through London, visiting figures – both dead and alive – encountered throughout his troubled life.
Directed by John Caird, and with choreography by Christopher Marney, McQueen will open at the Haymarket following the current run of the Broadway transfer The Elephant Man starring Bradley Cooper, which closes on 8 August. Tracy-Ann Oberman and Laura Rees, who both appeared in the show’s original run, will reprise their roles as Isabella Blow and Arabella alongside Wight, with Michael Bertenshaw (Anne Boleyn, Shakespeare’s Globe) joining the cast as Savile Row tailor Mr Hitchcock.
The popular theatrical notion is that if a production plays successfully at the Chichester Festival Theatre, it is very likely the show will receive a West End transfer. Here McQueen breaks the mould, transferring from a London venue to the very heart of Theatreland. Playwright Phillips has spoken of his opportunity to refine some things from the original production, with the show set to delight audiences yet again through this McQueen insight.