Following a sold-out run in spring 2014, Terry Johnson’s hit revival of Oh What A Lovely War will return to its spiritual home – Theatre Royal Stratford East – in January 2015, before embarking on a national tour. It will be produced by Judy Lloyd and Matthew Mitchell.
Oh What A Lovely War, a satirical musical about World War I, originally premiered at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1963. Joan Littlewood adapted the play from Charles Chilton’s work for radio through her company Theatre Workshop. It was an immediate hit, transferring to the West End in June 1963, opening on Broadway in 1964 and receiving four Tony Award nominations including Best Musical.
This production, directed by Terry Johnson, opened at Theatre Royal Stratford East in February 2014, to public and critical acclaim. Due to popular demand, it returns again in 2015, little more than a hundred years since the outbreak of the First World War.
Kerry Michael, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East said, “We’re delighted that following a sell-out success earlier this year,Oh What A Lovely War will be returning to us before heading out on a national tour. It’s a hugely important show that everyone should see.”
After Theatre Royal Stratford East, the production will embark upon a UK tour.
Venues and casting to be announced.
The musical is packed with familiar songs from the World War I era including ‘It's a Long Way to Tipperary’, ‘Pack up Your Troubles’ and ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’. The songs are performed against a projected backdrop of images and shocking statistics conveying the harsh realities of war.
This revival was made possible by producer Christopher Malcolm, who passed away shortly after it opened at Theatre Royal Stratford East in February 2014.
Terry Johnson has won nine British Theatre awards including Olivier Awards for Best Comedy and Playwright of the Year. In 2010 he won the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles. His theatre credits as both director and writer are prolific includingEnd of the Rainbow (2010-11) which was nominated for three Olivier Awards, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (2009) and most recentlyHysteria (2012) with Antony Sher.
