The Scottsboro Boys musical at Young Vic from 18 Oct

Kander and Ebb's musical The Scottsboro Boys , receives its UK premiere at Young Vic Theatre Main House, opening 29 Oct 2013, following previews from 18 Oct - running to 23 Nov 2013.

Public Booking opens 28 Feb 2013

Directed & choreographed by Susan Stroman, the show has music by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by David Thompson. It is produced by Young Vic and Catherine Schreiber.

Tells the true story of nine young black men, aged between 12 and 19, travelling on a train through Scottsboro, Alabama in 1931 in search of a new life. By the end of their journey, their lives had been changed forever by the devastating effect of a single lie. Two white women falsely accused the nine of rape. Even though one of the women later recanted her accusation and in spite of a total absence of evidence, the boys were convicted. Their subsequent trials and appeals, lasting seven years, deeply divided the nation.

David Lan, artistic director of the Young Vic:
The story of the Scottsboro Boys is an infamous case in the history of American civil rights. Who else but Kander and Ebb could see in it the possibility of a musical? It's a truly visionary work - a plea for social harmony but, even more important, for justice. From the moment I heard about it, I knew it was a natural for us. I'm thrilled that John Kander, David Thompson and Susan Stroman have agreed to give it new life with us at the Young Vic.

Susan Stroman, director and choreographer of The Scottsboro Boys:
I am thrilled David Lan and the Young Vic are bringing The Scottsboro Boys to London audiences. Like Chicago and Cabaret before it, Kander and Ebb have written a musical about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. The injustices endured by these nine young men are still unresolved, and threaten to remain so unless we engage in a dialogue about them. This is a story that needs to be told - and remembered. Our hope is The Scottsboro Boys is a way to start the conversation and to carry it forward.