F***ing Men and Naked Boys Singing 2009, the two shows currently enjoying hugely successful runs at Islington’s King’s Head theatre, are to transfer to the more central Arts theatre from 7 July.
F***ing Men has enjoyed a record-breaking run at the North London fringe venue, where it extended its original run due to demand for tickets. A comedy of sexual manners inspired by La Ronde, it follows 10 men searching for love, sex and intimacy in modern America. Blending the poignant with the humorous, it provides a snapshot of the modern day male and offers a fearless dissection of homosexuality.
The play, written by Joe DiPietro, who co-wrote long-running New York musical review I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, received its London premiere at the Finborough theatre in 2008.
Naked Boys Singing 2009 lives up to its straight forward title, presenting a 65 minute review featuring seven actors celebrating the glories of the naked male body through a series of catchy, pithy cabaret numbers.
The hit New York show, which counts Ricki Lake and Molly Ringwald among its celebrity fans, has been reshaped for a London audience by director Phil Willmott, who also directs F***ing Men.
“This isn’t a tacky strip show,” Willmott commented on Naked Boys Singing 2009. “It’s a sexy and often sophisticated piece of musical theatre. I’m looking forward to unleashing its potential in the West End.”
Both shows will continue running at the King’s Head theatre until early July before making the move to the Arts theatre.
MA