Stephen Merchant set for West End debut in The Mentalists

Award-winning funnyman Stephen Merchant will make his West End debut in a new production of Richard Bean's comic two hander The Mentalists.

Steffan Rhodri will join Merchant in the production, which is directed by Abbey Wright and runs for a strictly limited season at Wyndham's Theatre from 3 July to 26 September.

Tickets go on sale on Friday (27 February).

The play, first seen at the National Theatre in 2002, centres on two men holed up in a faceless Finsbury Park hotel room who are forced to confront the darker side of their unique relationship.

Bean said of the revival: "The central concerns of the play are even more relevant in an election year than when I wrote it. Factors like the perceived decline of social values and how this can result in the rise of fringe parties and a very personal view of politics fascinate me; but the real humour of the piece comes from Ted and Morrie's friendship, their reliance on each other and how they deal with their frustrations as working men battling against the world."

Merchant, best known for his work with Ricky Gervais including The Office and Extras, added: "I'm going to be in a West End play. A hilarious, darkly poignant Richard Bean play no less. Come and see me and Steffan Rhodri doing proper acting in The Mentalists this summer."

The production is designed by Richard Kent, lighting by David Plater and casting by Anne Vosser. It's produced by Old Vic Productions, Smith & Brant Theatricals and Steven Harris in association with Jimmy Jewell Ltd.