The Best Man to transfer to the West End starring Martin Shaw

Will Longman
Will Longman

Martin Shaw will star in the West End transfer of the play The Best Man, which is set to begin previews at the Playhouse Theatre in February. 

Written by Gore Vidal, the play is about a presidential election campaign with the only thing separating the two candidates from being nominated to run is an endorsement from the ex-President and a high-ranking party official. 

Shaw starred in the production which played the Richmond Theatre as part of a UK tour in October last year. He returns to play candidate William Russell, who is a former secretary of state, alongside Jeff Fahey who plays ambitious newcomer Joseph Cantwell.

The cast for the production, which is directed by Simon Evans, also includes Maureen Lipman as the party official, Jack Shepherd as the respected former Commander-in-Chief, Glynis Barber as Russell's estranged wife Alice, and Honeysuckle Weeks as Cantwell's wife Mabel. Further casting is to be announced. 

The Best Man will run at the Playhouse Theatre from 24th February to 12th May, with an official opening night on 5th March. 

The play first ran on Broadway in 1960 and starred  Melvyn Douglas as William Russell and Frank Lovejoy as Joseph Cantwell. A film adaptation was also made, adapted by Vidal in 1964

Produced by Bill Kenwright, the play will have set and costume design by Michael Taylor, lighting design by Chris Davey and composition and sound design by Ed Lewis.

The Best Man is at the Playhouse Theatre from 24th February to 12th May.

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