Back from Brink, Stag Announces Spring Season

Artistic director Peter Bull has now said that a reprieve was negotiated for the 60-seat venue, which operates above The Stag pub, directly behind the Victoria Palace, and had been expected to close to make way for a £1 billion redevelopment of the land bordered by Bressenden Place, Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace Road.

Going on to say that the search for a “bigger and better venue starts now”, the theatre company have launched their spring season with Hanif Kureishi’s My Beautiful Laundrette directed by Tim McArthur. The play, which is adapted for the stage by Roger Parsley and Andy Graham, will run from 3 March (previews from 1 March) until 10 April 2011.

Based on a 1985 film by the same name, the play is set against the backdrop of Thatcher’s 80s Britain and looks at the relationships between the white and Asian communities through the eyes of two old school friends. The film, which was nominated for an Oscar and two BAFTAs, starred Daniel Day-Lewis as skinhead Johnny.

My Beautiful Laundrette reunites the team behind Maurice, which was revived at the Stag for a limited season in September 2010 following a sell-out run earlier in the year.

Other highlights of the season include a five week run of new musical Cleveland Street by Taggart writer Glenn Chandler which will run from 26 April to 29 May 2011. The theatre have also announced details of their popular alternative adult pantomime, which will this year see the Above the Stag treatment given to Sleeping Beauty.

Above The Stag was established in November 2008 to present new writing work loosely based around gay issues. The theatre’s notable productions, overseen by Bull include Silence! The Musical, Dangerous, The Irish Curse and last year’s pantomime Robin Hood Queen of Thieves. Currently playing at the Stag, the all-male adaptation of Jack Heifner‘s “erotic comedy” Seduction plays at the theatre until 20 February, directed by Peter Bull.