UK premiere of Lonely Planet by Steven Dietz at the Tabard Theatre

The UK premiere of Steven Dietz's play Lonely Planet has been announced to run at the Tabard Theatre in west London from 27 June to 15 July 2017, with an official opening on 29 June.

Originally premiering at the Northlight Theatre in Illinois in 1993 the drama is considered his most widely performed work. Described as a heartfelt, funny and ultimately moving play this London production stars Alexander McMorran and Aaron Vodovoz and is directed by Ian Brown with set and costume design by Nik Corrall, lighting by Will Scarnell and sound design by Peter West.

"It's the 1980's in an unknown American city. There is no internet and mobile phones are a rarity, sharing information and knowledge is near impossible. It's dark, and communication is hard. A poster appears at a local store, it's a photo of a person's torso with lesions all over. It's an unknown condition that spreads quickly. The play focuses on the friendship between Jody, a cautious and thoughtful man who insulates himself in the map store he owns; and Carl, a frequent visitor to the store with an unusually vivid imagination and multiple, ever-changing occupations. Carl notices Jody has been isolating himself from the world and starts bringing chairs into his shop to convince him to confront the fears which prevent him from leaving his store. The play shows an individual's struggle to come to terms with illness, their own mortality and the stigma associated with AIDS."

Steven Dietz's work has been seen at over 100 regional theatres in the United States, as well as Off-Broadway. International productions have been seen in over 20 countries and his work has been translated into 10 languages.

Lonely Planet is produced by Aaron Vodovoz for Surgent Theatre Company.

Tickets for the production are now on sale.