American actor Zach Braff, known for his role in sitcom Scrubs, is to make his UK stage debut in his own play, All New People, which comes to London’s Duke of York’s theatre on 22 February.
All New People, which will play in Manchester and Glasgow prior to the West End, is described as an “angst-fuelled comedy” which centres on a man who has hit rock bottom. Charlie (Braff) is spending his 35th birthday hiding away from the world at his wealthy friends’ luxury apartment on Long Beach Island. But his quiet retreat is disrupted when a parade of misfits – including a fireman and an eccentric British estate agent – show up and change his plans.
Braff is best known for playing Dr John Dorian in US comedy Scrubs. As an actor his film work includes The Ex, Manhattan Murder Mystery and The Broken Hearts Club, as well as stage roles in New York. However he is also a successful writer, with his 2004 debut feature film, Garden State, receiving a number of accolades.
All New People was staged in New York earlier this year, with Justin Bartha (The Hangover) playing Charlie. Peter Dubois, who directed that production, now brings the comedy to the UK with an all-new, yet to be announced cast joining Braff. Dubois was in London earlier this year to direct Becky Shaw at the Almeida theatre, another play that began life in New York.
The confirmation of All New People’s February opening calls into question the life of Backbeat, which is currently booking at the Duke of York’s theatre to 24 March. As yet no announcement has been made as to the future of the 1960s-set Beatles bio-show.
All New People is booking to 28 April.
CB