St James Theatre announces new season

The St James Theatre, an Off West End venue based in Victoria, south London, have announced details of their upcoming season, including a musical from the team behind 'The Rocky Horror Show', the European premier of a comedy and a show that is returning due to pupular demand.

The first production in the season will be musical The Stripper, from 7 July to 13 August 2016, at the St James Studio. The show features music and lyrics by Richard Hartley and Richard O'Brien, who is best known for writing 'The Rocky Horror Show'. It is based on the 'Pulp Fiction' story by Carter Brown and will be directed by Benji Sperring. The producers are Niall Bailey and Chris Wheeler for Scala Theatre Ltd.

Synopsis: "The year is 1961, the place is Pine City, California, and some broad is threatening to throw herself off the top of the fanciest hotel in town. There's trouble brewing and Lieutenant Al Wheeler wants answers. First stop, Club Extravaganza where we meet delectable Deadpan Dolores. Her name says it all... she's not shy, so what's she hiding? As Wheeler is thrust into a sleazy underworld of strip-joints and lost lonely hearts, the truth isn't the only thing he uncovers."

This will be followed by the European premier of comedy Waiting For Waiting For Godot, by Dave Hanson, from 30 August to 24 September, at the St James Studio. This will be directed by Mark Bell, who also currently directed West End comedies The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. The producers are Libby Brodie Productions.

Synopsis: "Two hapless understudies occupy their time backstage, trying to understand art, life, theatre and their precarious existence within it. The comedy ponders Beckett, showbiz and just what on earth it's all about. Turns out, the only people who truly understand Beckett's Waiting For Godot, are the understudies."

The final production in the season will the returning The Pianist of Willesden Lane, at St James' main theatre from 7 September to 16 October 2016. Adapted by Hershey Felder, who also directs, produces and designs the show, it is based on the book 'The Children of Willesden Lane: Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival' by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Mona Golabek will star in the production.

Synopsis: "Set in Vienna in 1938 and in London during the Blitz, The Pianist of Willesden Lane tells the true story of Lisa Jura, a young Jewish pianist who is dreaming about her concert debut at Vienna's storied Musikverein concert hall. But with the issuing of new ordinances under the Nazi regime, everything for Lisa changes, except for her love of music and the pursuit of her dream - as she is torn from her family and set onto the Kindertransport to London."

Tickets for all productions will go on general sale on 10 May at 10am.