British premiere of The Bridges of Madison County to open at Menier Chocolate Factory

The Bridges of Madison County will receive its national premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory, it has been announced.

Set in the 1960s, the musical follows Francesca, an Italian immigrant living in Iowa who lives a quiet, yet content life on a farm. Left alone by her family who go to visit the Iowa State Fair, she meets Robert Kincaid, a National Geographic photographer who is on assignment to film bridges in the area. Their friendship quickly turns to a romantic affair with great consequences for everyone.

The Bridges of Madison County was first performed on Broadway in 2014 and was open for three months, with Kelli O' Hara as Francesca and Steven Pasquale as Robert. The musical was nominated for four Tony Awards, winning best original score and best orchestrations.

The musical is based on Robert James Waller's 1992 book of the same name, later adapted into a film in 1995 starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.

Trevor Nunn returns to the Menier to direct The Bridges of Madison County, previously directing Fiddler on the Roof at the same venue, currently at the Playhouse Theatre. Original music and lyrics are by Jason Robert Brown, whose previous theatre credits include original music and lyrics for 13 and The Last Five Years. The musical's book is by Marsha Norman, with sound design by Gregory Clarke, design by Jon Bausor and light design by Tim Lutkin.

Details on casting and a further creative team are to be announced.   

The Bridges of Madison County is at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 12th July to 14th September.

The Bridges of Madison County tickets will go on sale on 13th May.