David Bedella and Sara Kestelman to Star in TORCH SONG TRILOGY, May-August

The Menier Chocolate Factory will present Harvey Fierstein's acclaimed Torch Song Trilogy, 30th May to 12th August, starring David Bedella and Sara Kestelman and directed by actor/director Douglas Hodge.

This comedy-drama, which won the 1983 Tony and Drama Desk awards for Best Play and was last seen in the West End in 1985, tells the poignant story of an outsider's search for love and acceptance. Originally conceived and performed in three acts, drag queen Arnold encounters passion, thrills, love and loss. This intimate and powerful play is bursting with courage and sharp wit, as Arnold fights for his place in the world and his right to happiness.

Douglas Hodge won the Olivier award in 2009 and the Tony award in 2010 for his role as Albin in the Chocolate Factory production of La Cage aux Folles – also written by Harvey Fierstein. His directing credits include See How They Run (Duchess) and Absurdia (Donmar).

David Bedella plays the lead role of Arnold Beckoff. In 2011 David played Wilson Mizner in the European premiere of Road Show by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman at the Menier Chocolate Factory. David is well-known for his Olivier award-winning role in Jerry Springer – The Opera which he performed at the Edinburgh Festival, National Theatre, Cambridge Theatre and, most recently, at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Sydney Opera House. Other theatre credits include: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (West End), The Rocky Horror Show (West End and UK tour), Chicago (West End) and Chess (Royal Albert Hall). His film work includes Alexander opposite Anthony Hopkins and Batman Begins with Christian Bale.

Sara Kestelman will play the role of Mrs Beckoff, Arnold's mother. Sara won an Olivier award for her role as Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret at the Donmar. She is currently appearing at the Donmar in Making Noise Quietly. Other theatre credits include: Hamlet (National Theatre), Copenhagen (National and Duchess) and Nine (Donmar). Television includes: Trial and Retribution, The Last Romantics and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes.

The production will be designed by Soutra Gilmour, with lighting by Paul Anderson and sound by Gareth Owen.

Tickets are £29.50 (concessions and group rate £27; meal deals £37) for performances Tuesday - Saturday evenings, 8pm; Saturday & Sunday matinees, 3.30pm. There will be no matinee performances on Sunday 3rd June, Sunday 10th June and Sunday 17th June. There will be an additional performance on Monday 11th June at 8pm.

Box Office: 020 7378 1713 (£2 transaction fee per booking)
Website: www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1 transaction fee per booking)
Address: 53 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU

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