Dates and Stars Set for Musical Adaptation of Lend Me a Tenor in the West End

The previously reported musical adaptation of Ken Ludwig’s farcical comedy Lend Me a Tenor is headed for London’s Gielgud Theatre, with previews beginning on June 2 and opening night on June 15. The show, which began life at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2010, is directed by Olivier Award winner Ian Talbot (Anything Goes, High Society).

The cast will include Matthew Kelly as Cleveland Grand Opera director Henry Saunders, Damian Humbley as his assistant Max, Michael Matus as opera star Tito Merelli and Sophie-Louise Dann as opera diva Diana Divane. Further casting will be announced.

Lend Me a Tenor the Musical features a book and lyrics by Peter Sham and music by Brad Carroll. The show is set in 1934, when the world’s greatest tenor, Tito Merelli has come to Cleveland to save its Grand Opera Company by singing Verdi’s Otello. When he is unexpectedly incapacitated, Max, the opera director’s meek assistant, is given the daunting task of finding a last-minute replacement. Chaos ensues—including a scheming soprano, a tenor-struck ingénue, a jealous wife, shrimp gone bad and the Cleveland Police department.

The West End production will be choreographed by Randy Skinner (42nd Street, White Christmas). The design team includes Paul Farnsworth (sets), Tim Mitchell (lighting) and Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster (sound). The musical supervisor is Paul Gemignani and the musical director is Colin Billing.

Lend Me a Tenor the Musical is produced by Martin Platt and David Elliott, in association with Eileen & Allen Anes.