Half a Sixpence transfers to the Noel Coward Theatre from 29 October 2016

Cameron Mackintosh's revival of Half a Sixpence announces West End transfer.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh has today announced the West End transfer of his Chichester Festival Theatre revival of Half a Sixpence, which will begin performances at the Noël Coward Theatre from 29 October 2016, with an official opening on 17 November 2016, currently booking to 11 February 2017.

The entire cast of the Chichester production will transfer to the West End, featuring Charlie Stemp as 'Arthur Kipps' and Devon-Elise Johnson as 'Ann Pornick' - alongside three times Olivier-nominated actor Ian Bartholomew as 'Chitterlow' and three times Olivier-nominated actress Emma Williams as 'Helen Walsingham'.

This brand new stage adaptation of Half a Sixpence is adapted from H.G. Wells's semi- autobiographical novel 'Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul', and reunites book-writer Julian Fellowes with composers George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The score features a number of David Heneker's original songs including 'Flash Bang Wallop', 'Money To Burn' and 'Half A Sixpence', and has been expanded to create new musical set pieces.

"Arthur Kipps, an orphan and over-worked draper's assistant at the turn of the last century, unexpectedly inherits a fortune that propels him into high society. His childhood companion, Ann Pornick, watches with dismay as Arthur is made over in a new image by the beautiful and classy Helen Walsingham. Both young women undoubtedly love Arthur - but which of them should he listen to? With the help of his friends, Arthur learns that if you want to have the chance of living the right life, you need to make the right choices."

Cameron Mackintosh said of the news: "I am absolutely thrilled that our new version of the iconic British musical Half a Sixpence has gone off with such a flash bang wallop and been so rapturously received by both audiences and critics alike, breaking box offices records in Chichester. The show's amazing cast is headed by the sensational new young star Charlie Stemp, who has put his own brilliantly original stamp on a part that fifty years ago launched Tommy Steele's international theatre and film career. Everyone seems to agree that history is about to repeat itself with Charlie, whose performance is sending audiences into raptures nightly."

The revival is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with designs by Paul Brown, choreography by Andrew Wright and orchestrations by William David Brohn. It features lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and video design by Luke Halls.

Tickets for the production will go on sale at 10am Thursday 1 September.