Theatre Royal Bath’s production of classic comedy Hobson’s Choice, which stars Martin Shaw in the title role, will play at London’s Vaudeville Theatre for a limited season this summer.
Harold Brighouse’s play ran to much acclaim at the West Country venue earlier this spring. It will run in the West End from 8 June to 10 September.
Directed and co-produced by Jonathan Church, Hobson’s Choice finds Shaw playing Henry Horatio Hobson, a tyrannical skinflint, shopkeeper and father. When his eldest daughter defies his wishes by marrying Will Mossop, a battle of wits begins that could cause him to lose his customers, his daughters and his pride. But it’s his choice.
Shaw, best known for his television roles in series including Inspector George Gently, Judge John Deed and The Professionals, is joined in the production by Naomi Frederick in the role of his rebellious daughter Maggie and Bryan Dick as Willy.
Frederick is a London stage regular boasting credits at Shakespeare’s Globe, The Old Vic and National Theatre, while Dick was last on one of the capital’s stages in Seminar at Hampstead Theatre.
Gabrielle Dempsey and Joanna McCallum will also appear in the London transfer, though full casting is yet to be announced.
This production of Brighouse’s classic marks 100 years since the play’s first UK performance and comes two years after London last saw a staging, when Nadia Fall updated the action to the 1960s for a production at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
Hobson’s Choice opens at the Vaudeville Theatre following the run of current hit comedy, the Olivier Award-nominated Hand To God.