Greig in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

Olivier Award-winner Tamsin Greig is set to make her musical theatre debut, when Howard Panter and the Ambassador Theatre Group present the UK premiere of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which will open at the Playhouse Theatre on 12 Jan 2015, following previews from 20 Dec 2014. The 20-week limited engagement will conclude on 09 May 2015.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown features music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Jeffrey Lane and is based on the original 1988 film by Pedro Almodóvar. The West End production will be directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher, who also directed the musical on Broadway.

Synopsis: 'Capturing the sexy and colourful spirit of Pedro Almodóvar's Madrid, Pepa (Tamsin Greig) and her friends juggle their everyday lives and extraordinary moments in a surprising, heart-breaking and rebellious musical comedy.'

Tamsin Greig is perhaps best known for her television roles, which include Fran Katzenjammer in 'Black Books', Dr. Caroline Todd in 'Green Wing', Beverly Lincoln in 'Episodes', Jackie in 'Friday Night Dinner', and Alice Chenery in 'Love Soup'. She also voices the role of Debbie Aldridge in popular Radio soap opera 'The Archers'. She won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2007 as Beatrice in 'Much Ado About Nothing' and was nominated again in 2011 for 'The Little Dog Laughed'. Other notable stage credits include 'The God of Carnage' (Gielgud), 'Gethsemane' (National Theatre), 'Jumpy' (Royal Court and Duke of York's), and 'Longing' (Hampstead).

Greig released the following statement:
"I am excited, thrilled and terrified to have been invited to collaborate with artists of the calibre of Pedro Almodóvar, Bart Sher, David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane to perform in a musical. If it's true that you are only as good as the company you keep, then I am in very safe hands. And I feel very fortunate to have been encouraged - well, bullied - by my agent to have singing lessons, to learn new skills and to experience other creative mediums. I have also run out of excuses why I can't do it!"

The Broadway production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown starred Sherie Rene Scott, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Laura Benanti, and played the Belasco Theatre from 08 Oct 2010 to 02 Jan 2011. It was nominated for 3 Tony Awards in 2011 - Best Original Score, and Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (for both LuPone and Benanti).

Further casting and on sale dates are yet to be confirmed.

Originally published on

Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive London theatre updates!

Special offers, reviews and release dates for the best shows in town.

You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy