The Menier Chocolate Factory, the theatre that has produced West End hit transfers including Sunday In The Park With George and Little Shop Of Horrors, has announced an agreement with American producer Bob Boyett. The partnership gives Boyett the first option on transferring the Menier's hit shows to America for the next three years. The first production to benefit from this new collaboration is Laurence Olivier Award-winner Sunday In The Park With George, which opens at Studio 54 in January 2008.
This is the second time in two months that Boyett has sealed a 'first look' agreement with a British producing house, following the April announcement that Boyett Ostar Productions – run by Boyett and Bill Haber – extended its deal with the National Theatre until 2008. This partnership had already been successful, helping shows such as Jumpers, Democracy, The Pillowman, The History Boys and Coram Boy make the transatlantic leap.
Speaking about his new deal with the Menier, Boyett said: "I've been associated with the Menier Chocolate Factory for almost three years because of the daring and excellent work that they produce, but this new arrangement takes our relationship even deeper. I'm very happy for the opportunity to bring the work of one of London's newest and most exciting theatre companies to New York and can't wait for audiences here to experience their particular brand of fresh, innovative theatre."
New comedy All Mouth is the latest production to be staged at the Menier. It is followed in July by the world premiere of musical Take Flight, which follows the stories of the pioneers of flight.
MA