Theatre News

The Jungle to transfer into the West End

The National Theatre and Young Vic co-production will run in the Playhouse Theatre

Alex Lawther as Sam in  The Jungle
Alex Lawther as Sam in The Jungle
(© David Sandison)

Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson's hit production of The Jungle, which ran in 2017 at the Young Vic, is to transfer to the West End later this year.

The Jungle is directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin and was created in conjunction with Murphy and Robertson's Good Chance Theatre, which originally was situated in the refugee camp in Calais.

The Playhouse Theatre will be transformed for the show and will be reconfigured to house Miriam Buether's set, where audiences sit on benches and tables in the Afghan cafe in the Calais camp. The dress circle will be renamed 'The Cliffs of Dover' and the stage will extend beyond the proscenium arch into the stalls. The theatre's in the round configuration will reduce the capacity of the theatre to 450 seats.

Top price tickets to the show will enable 40 per cent of the tickets bought to be priced at £25 and under, while tickets will also be offered to refugees.

The Jungle tells the story of the Calais camp's creation and its destruction. The majority of the original cast will transfer with the show including actors from refugee backgrounds, some of whom came through the Jungle. The full cast includes: Ammar Haj Ahmad, Mohammad Amiri, Girum Bekele, Elham Ehsas, Trevor Fox, Moein Ghobsheh, Ansu Kabia, Alex Lawther, John Pfumojena, Rachel Redford, Rachid Sabitri, Mohamed Sarrar, Ben Turner and Nahel Tzegai.

Robertson and Murphy said: "The Jungle was a reluctant home for thousands of people from all over the world…People who visited asked why we built a theatre in a refugee camp, but it’s always seemed clear to us that theatre should be at the centre of the conversation.That’s why we’re thrilled to bring this play to new audiences and to the West End, in a totally transformed Playhouse Theatre, a stone’s throw from Parliament."

The show's official charity partner is Help Refugees, which will be supported by the production by fundraising which will take place at the venue throughout the run.

In her five star review of the show, Sarah Crompton said The Jungle is "searing, emotional and profound".

The Jungle runs at the Playhouse Theatre from 5 July to 3 November with previews from 16 June.