Tamzin Outhwaite, Samantha Spiro and Jenna Russell will star in Di And Viv And Rose when the comedy transfers to the Vaudeville Theatre in the new year.
Anna Mackmin’s critically acclaimed production, which started out in the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in 2011 before moving to the Swiss Cottage venue’s main space last year, will play from 22 January (press night 29 January) to 23 May.
The tale of three women who joined forces at university, Di And Viv And Rose is billed as “A hilarious and thoughtful exploration of friendship’s impact on life and life’s impact on friendship.”
Outhwaite, who can currently be seen in Ben Ockrent’s comedy Breeders at the St James Theatre, is the only original cast member to reprise her role for the West End transfer. The EastEnders actress, whose other stage credits include West End productions of Sweet Charity and Boeing Boeing, will return to the role of Di until 28 March.
Spiro will play Viv, a role previously played by Nicola Walker and Gina McKee during its runs at the Hampstead Theatre. The Olivier Award-winning actress returns to the London stage following recent performances in Macbeth and The Taming Of The Shrew at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Filumena at the Almeida Theatre.
Completing the cast is fellow Olivier Award winner Russell. Taking over from Anna Maxwell Martin and Claudie Blakley as Rose, Russell will make her debut in the play after reprising her acclaimed role in the West End transfer of Urinetown The Musical later this month. The performer’s other recent stage credits include Mr Burns at the Almeida Theatre and Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End.
When Amelia Bullmore’s insightful comedy played at the Hampstead Theatre in 2013, The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer described the production as “A sharply observed, richly enjoyable production, elegantly staged and mixing laughter with sudden jolts of pain and loss.”
Di And Viv And Rose will open at the Vaudeville Theatre following an eclectic few months of productions that include musical theatre satire Forbidden Broadway and Olivier Award-winning family dance show The Wind In The Willows.