Director Sean Foley on adapting the classic comedy The Man in the White Suit

Sean Foley is a very busy man right now. He takes over as artistic director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre this summer, with his first season of work set to commence in the New Year. But before that, he has the small matter of a West End premiere. 

He's directing his own adaptation of The Man in the White Suit, the classic Ealing Comedy which starred Alec Guinness as a budding physicist who develops a material that can not stain and never requires washing. The factory bigwigs love the idea, until they realise it means no one will ever need to replenish their wardrobes. 

The play, which is premiering at Theatre Royal Bath before transferring into town at Wyndham's Theatre in September, will reunite Foley with actor Stephen Mangan, who he directed in the 2013 West End production of Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, alongside Sue Johnston and Kara Tointon (click here to read full casting). 

As rehearsals for the play begin in London, we sat down with Foley to talk a little more about what we can expect from the play, and why he's thrilled to be working with Mangan once again. 

The Man in the White Suit is at Wyndham's Theatre from 26th September. 

The Man in the White Suit tickets are available now.