Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard Star in THE BOYS IN THE BAND, Kicking Off UK Tour Tonight in London

Producers Tom O'Connell and James Seabright present the first class revival of Mart Crowley's ground-breaking play, THE BOYS IN THE BAND, opening at Park Theatre in London this autumn, then touring to The Lowry, Theatre Royal Brighton and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

There's a party about to commence when nine men gather in a New York apartment for a birthday celebration. Harold, a self-confessed 'Jew fairy', receives a surprise birthday gift - a beautiful male hustler dubbed Cowboy. Meanwhile, party host Michael gets an unwanted surprise of his own in the shape of a figure from his past. As the booze is drunk and the dope smoked, the mood swings from hilarity to heart-break.

Olivier Award winner Mark Gatiss will star alongside his husband Ian Hallard in this eagerly anticipated production, which sees the pair playing 'Harold' and 'Michael'.

West End musical theatre star Daniel Boys (pictured, right) will star as 'Donald', Jack Derges, recently seen as the mysterious 'Andy Flynn' in EastEnders, will play 'Cowboy', Miranda star James Holmes will star as 'Emory', Midsomer Murders' John Hopkins will play 'Alan', Primeval's Ben Mansfield will play 'Larry', and Undercover's Nathan Nolan will play 'Hank'. Further casting to be announced.

The production is directed by A Small Family Business & One Man Two Guvnors' director, Adam Penford, and will open at Park Theatre in London from tonight 28 September 2016 - 30 October 2016, with a press night on Tuesday 4 October. The show will then embark on a short UK Tour visiting The Lowry, Salford from 3 - 6 November, Theatre Royal, Brighton from 8 - 12 November, and the West Yorkshire Playhouse from 14 - 19 November.

Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard said, "We are thrilled to be a part of this production, which will bring this classic gay play back to London for the first time in eighteen years. The script is razor sharp, with huge amounts of wit and pathos, and is as fresh, startling and relevant as it was back in 1968. It's tremendously exciting to be working with a superb creative and production team who are bringing the show to Park Theatre. And we can't wait to work together on stage for the first time."

From the producers of the critically acclaimed revivals of Beautiful Thing, Our Boys and Another Country, and the forthcoming stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, comes this eagerly anticipated revival of Mart Crowley's seminal piece, which premiered in 1968 just before the Stonewall riots. This witty, dark American play which changed the landscape of gay theatre was adapted into a film in 1970, becoming a cult hit. The play was last revived in New York in 2010, and this UK revival will mark almost 20 years since the last West End production.

Producer Tom O'Connell said, "James and I are thrilled to be producing this wonderful play, which is loved by so many around the world. Together with Mart Crowley and Adam Penford we are delighted that Mark and Ian will lead our first class cast at London's award-winning Park Theatre, the perfect intimate space to open this revival, before then touring to Manchester, Brighton and Leeds. We are also thrilled to be partnering with charity Stonewall, popular restaurant chain Balans and Gay Times Magazine".

The production will be produced by Tom O'Connell and James Seabright, in association with Jack Maple, the Kings Head Theatre and Park Theatre. Rebecca Bower will design the production with Sound design by James Nicholson and Lighting design by Jack Weir, casting is by Stephen Moore CDG.

The production will be partnered with Gay Times, Stonewall & Balans Soho Society, and is also working closely with Chester Barrie, Delicious Junction and Gabicci as fashion partners.

James Baker from Stonewall said, 'We're thrilled to be the charity partner for this new tour of The Boys in the Band and it's fantastic that the producers recognise the importance of our work. The tour will not only raise awareness but also vital funds to continue Stonewall's work tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools. We're looking forward to seeing the production later on this summer and to talking more about our work to anyone attending.'

WEST END:

Park Theatre (London)

Weds 28 Sept - Sun 30 Oct 2016

Performances Tuesday - Sunday @ 19.30, Saturday & Sunday @ 15.00

Press night: Tuesday 4 October @ 7pm

Running Time: TBC

Booking: www.parktheatre.co.uk 020 7870 6876

Prices Previews £18.50, Full £29.50/£20.00

Discounts available on Tuesdays for residents with N. London postcode - check the website for further details

Pay What You Can

Those on lower incomes can take advantage of PWYC on any matinee or any Wednesday of each production. Please ask for an application form (in person or via boxoffice@parktheatre.co.uk) for the scheme and, once returned to us - if accepted - we will update our records and issue you with a membership card, making PWYC seats available to you for a period of one year. These will be bookable from one hour prior to the performance, in person only. One ticket per membership. Subject to availability.

UK TOUR DATES:

Thurs 3 Nov - Sun 6 Nov 2016

The Lowry, Salford

Online Booking: thelowry.com | Box Office: 0843 208 6000

Tues 8 Nov - Sat 12 Nov 2016

Theatre Royal, Brighton

Online Booking: atgticket.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton | Box Office: 0844 871 7650

Mon 14 Nov - Sat 19 Nov 2016

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

Online Booking: wyp.org.uk | Box Office: 0113 213 7700

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