David Wood’s stage adaptation of Goodnight Mister Tom will transfer to the Phoenix theatre this Christmas, becoming the first production for 20 years to take up residence at the venue.
Starring Olivier Award-winner Oliver Ford Davies, Angus Jackson’s production will play a strictly limited season from 22 November (press night 27 November) to 28 January at the long-time home of hit musical Blood Brothers.
Adapted from Michelle Magorian’s classic novel, Goodnight Mister Tom tells the story of young William Beech who, after being evacuated to the English countryside during World War II, builds a remarkable and moving friendship with elderly recluse Tom Oakley.
Last seen on stage in the RSC’s Written On The Heart at the Duchess theatre, Ford Davies, who reprises his role as Mister Tom following his performance at Chichester Festival Theatre, has appeared extensively on stage and screen, winning the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his role in Racing Demon at the National Theatre.
Wood, whose Olivier-nominated adaptation of Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came To Tea is currently playing at the Lyric theatre, is well known for his popular children’s shows, which have included James And The Giant Peach, Tom’s Midnight Garden and George’s Marvellous Medicine.
Jackson’s recent stage credits include The Browning Version, which played alongside South Downs in the acclaimed double bill at the Harold Pinter theatre, and Bingo starring Patrick Stewart at the Young Vic.
Goodnight Mister Tom will open at the Phoenix theatre following the closure of Willy Russell’s award-winning musical about two brothers separated at birth, which comes to the end of its 20 year run on 27 October after more than 10,000 performances in the West End.