Mrs Henderson Presents is set to move to the big smoke of London in February next year, setting its sights on the Noel Coward Theatre. The critically acclaimed musical will arrive from the Bath Theatre Royal production, heading to London for a strictly limited season.
Mrs Henderson Presents will start previews at the Noel Coward Theatre on 9 February, officially opening on 16 February. Following a sell-out season at Bath’s Theatre Royal, Mrs Henderson Presents marks yet another West End transfer for a successful regional production. It is a new musical adaptation of the 2005 film starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, where the production tells the true story of Laura Henderson, an eccentric widow who ran a nude revue at the Windmill Theatre in London’s Soho in the 1940s. The Windmill provides a refuge for all throughout the war, boasting “We Never Close”.
During a time of great censorship, Mrs Henderson Presents sees Henderson looking for a way to spend her time and money, and her attention falls on a run-down former cinema in Great Windmill Street. Hiring the feisty Vivian Van Damm to look after the newly renovated Windmill Theatre, the bill of variety acts sees glamorous young women posing as nude statues. As war takes over, more and more is required to boost morale and the box office.
The show stars Tracie Bennett as Laura Henderson, Ian Bartholomew as Vivian Van Damm and Emma Williams as Maureen. More casting is yet to be announced. Directed by Terry Johnson, the show has lyrics by Don Black and music by George Fenton, with the film’s original music director, Simon Chamberlain, returning for the stage production. Choreography is by Andrew Wright with set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Paul Wills and lighting design by Ben Ormerod