Classic Film Comedy The Ladykillers to Hit the London Stage in Fall 2011

A stage adaptation of the 1955 film comedy The Ladykillers will premiere in London in November 2011. Television writer Graham Lineman (Father Ted, The IT Crowd), has adapted the piece, which will be helmed by Broadway alum Sean Foley (The Play What I Wrote). The piece will premiere at the Liverpool Playhouse from November 3-19 before beginning performance at the West End’s Gielgud Theatre on November 26. An official opening night is set for December 7.

The cast of The Ladykillers includes Peter Capaldi, James Fleet, Ben Miller, Clive Rowe and Stephen Wight as an unlikely bunch of crooks and Marcia Warren as Mrs Wilberforce, a little old lady who foils their plans. Mrs. Wilberforce lives alone with her parrots in a strange lopsided house in King's Cross, but her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Professor Marcus and his four friends. In planning the heist of a security van, they decide to use Mrs Wilberforce as cover and unwittingly involve her in the plot.

The original Ealing Studiosscreen version of the comedy starred Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers, and screenwriter William Rose earned an Oscar nomination for the script. A 2004 remake of the film starred Tom Hanks, and was directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. This stage adaptation is produced by Edward Snape for Fiery Angel in association with Stage Entertainment UK and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse.