John Caird will direct the world premiere of McQueen, a new play delving into the visionary imagination and dark dream world of legendary fashion designer Alexander McQueen, at the St James Theatre this May.
Written by James Phillips (The Rubenstein Kiss, Hidden In The Sand), the production will play at the Victoria venue from 12 May (press nights 19 and 20 May) to 6 June.
Set on a single London night, McQueen is billed as “more than a bio-play” and steps into the fairy story landscape of the late designer’s incredible mind, where through a dress an urchin can become an Amazon and beauty might just help us survive the night.
It follows a girl, who has been watching McQueen’s Mayfair house for 11 consecutive days, as she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house to steal a dress. He catches her, but instead of calling the police, they embark on a journey together through London and into his heart.
Director Caird has worked extensively at the Royal Shakespeare Company, staging more than 20 productions for the prestigious theatre company. He is arguably best known for his co-productions with Trevor Nunn including the hugely successful long-running musical Les Misérables.
The production will open at the St James Theatre following William Gaminara’s critically acclaimed play The Three Lions and prior to The Dreamers, the true story of a man who led his regiment to the battlefields of Gallipoli in 1915.