Xanadu, the Broadway musical theatre hit, will receive it UK premiere at London’s Southwark Playhouse this autumn.
Based on the cult 80s movie starring Oliva Newton-John, Gene Kelly and Michael Beck it will run at the off West End venue from 16 October.
Nominated for four Tony Awards when it premiered at Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre in 2007, Xanadu follows Greek muse Kira as she leaves Mount Olympus for California’s Venice Beach, intent on inspiring striving artist Sonny. But, as is always a danger when you mix gods and men, Kira falls for Sonny’s human charms, which sparks her sisters into a fit of jealousy and triggers a bucketful of chaos.
The musical features a host of hit parade-topping songs from the film including Suddenly, I’m Alive and the title track.
Xanadu is the latest in a number of cult musicals to be programmed by Southwark Playhouse in recent years. It follows hit productions of Carrie and Bat Boy: The Musical
The UK premiere will be directed by Paul Warwick Griffin whose previous work includes touring productions of Cats, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar. The show’s choreography comes from Nathan M Wright, who worked on Theatre Royal Stratford East’s Fings Ain’t What They Used T’Be.
Casting for Xanadu is yet to be announced.