Father and son James and Jack Fox will star in Dear Lupin at the Apollo Theatre next month, the West End premiere of the comedy based on the award-winning book by journalist Roger Mortimer.
Directed by Philip Franks, Dear Lupin will play from 30 July to 19 September and bring the humorous father and son letters from Mortimer’s touching Dear Lupin, Letters To A Wayward Son to life in London following its successful UK tour.
A member of Britain’s most famous and successful acting dynasties, James Fox is the two time BAFTA-winning actor best known for his extensive screen work that includes everything from recent television series Death In Paradise and Unknown Heart to legendary films including Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines and Performance, in which he starred alongside Mick Jagger.
The star, whose numerous theatre credits include Old Vic productions of The Happiest Millionaire, Henry V, All In Love and Resurrection Blues, leads the production as Michael. Commenting on the role, the actor said: “It’s about a geriatric old Etonian hack and long suffering father, which ticks all the boxes for me.”
His son, who has followed him into the profession racking up credits including The Portrait Of Dorian Gray at the Riverside Studios and screen appearances in Mr Selfridge and Our Zoo, was equally drawn to the play for its true life connections, commenting: “It’s brilliant to see Dad return to the stage, and for me, not just as his son, but as an actor it’s a huge privilege to learn from him. People assume as an actor you start as a fully finished article, but that couldn’t be further from the truth – it’s an honour to work with him. I hope the rapport we share in life will translate to the stage.”
Mortimer’s book was published in 2012 when it received rave reviews for its revealing and nostalgic collection of letters spanning nearly 25 years. It has been adapted for the stage by writer Michael Simkins, who can currently be seen in his other equally successful guise as an actor in Hay Fever at the Duke of York’s Theatre.
Real-life Lupin, aka Roger Mortimer’s son Charlie, commented on the show’s forthcoming West End premiere, saying: “To have Fox father and son playing Mortimer father and son is a coup beyond my wildest dreams; and to say I am excited and delighted to see the production transfer into the West End would be the ultimate understatement.”
The two-hander will arrive at the Apollo Theatre following current hit The Audience. The Kristin Scott Thomas-led drama will come to the end of its run on 25 July.