A Mad World My Masters at Barbican in Apr 2015

English Touring Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company have announced a co-production of Thomas Middleton's comedy A Mad World My Masters, which will arrive at London's Barbican Theatre for a two-week run at the end of April 2015, after a national tour.

Exact dates, casting and ticket prices are yet to be announced, however, it is expected that the run will begin the week commencing 27 Apr 2015. Tickets will go on sale in Sep 2014.

Synopsis: 'London's Soho, 1956. Here, glamour rubs up against filth, and it likes it! The posh mix with musicians, whores and racketeers (virginity is no city trade), and the dashingly cash-strapped bachelor, Richard Follywit, in pursuit of quick cash and a good time has to live on his wits...'

This version of A Mad World My Masters has been edited by Sean Foley and Phil Porter, and features scenic design by Alice Power, and sound and music by Ben and Max Ringham.

Sean Foley released a statement, saying: "In creating the show, we wanted to make sure that nothing got in the way of communicating Middleton's seething delight in exposing how hypocritical we can all be, so we set it at a time which is still within touching distance of us now. London is timeless, and 1950s Soho seemed to offer a stylish and recognisable stand in for London 1605: a post war world, where everyone is worried about sliding morals, the position of women, a changing class system, immigrants - and where on earth to get the next drink. With our 50's-style club band and fantastic R&B Soul singer framing the action we could have live music too - which we know that the original had - which seemed perfect for what Middleton intended: the play itself is a vibrant celebration of live theatrical entertainment. A Mad World My Masters knows it's having fun poking fun at the audience, and it still makes us laugh like they must have done in 1605: uproariously, and at ourselves."