Theatre News

Ben Miller and Diana Vickers star in Duck House in the West End

Ben Miller will star in the new political satire directed by Terry Johnson, which will open at the Vaudeville Theatre on 10 December following a five week UK tour

As previously tipped, new comedy The Duck House starring comedian Ben Miller will come to the West End, opening at the Vaudeville Theatre on 10 December 2013 (previews from 27 November) following a UK tour.

The cast will also include Nancy Carroll, Diana Vickers, Debbie Chazen, James Musgrave and Simon Shepherd.

The Duck House, written by Dan Patterson and Colin Swash, is billed as "an outrageous new laugh out loud comedy set in a world of dodgy receipts, dodgier deceit, and pure Parliamentary panic". The comedy is set in May 2009, when Gordon Brown's government is in meltdown and a General Election is just one year away.

Labour backbencher Robert Houston (Miller) loves being an MP and will do anything to save his seat – including change sides. All is going well with his switch from red to blue until, the expenses scandal breaks. The title is a reference to the 'duck house' claimed by Tory MP Sir Peter Viggers that came to symbolise the scandal.

Ben Miller's TV credits include Death in Paradise, The Worst Week of My Life and The Armstrong and Miller Show, alongside his comedy partner Alexander Armstrong. He was in the original cast of The Ladykillers in the West End.

Nancy Carroll, who will play Felicity Houston, has stage credits including The Recruiting Officer (Donmar), House of Games, King Lear (Almeida), Arcadia (Duke of York's) and After the Dance (National). Her film and TV work includes Holby City and Iris.

Diana Vickers, who plays Holly, rose to fame as a contestant on The X Factor in 2009, and won a WhatsOnStage Award for Best Newcomer for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Vaudeville Theatre.

The Duck House is directed by Terry Johnson, with design by Lez Brotherston and lighting by Mark Henderson. The tour opens in Guildford on 23 October, before heading to locations including Nottingham and Malvern.