Kander and Ebb's The Rink to open at Southwark Playhouse

A revival of Kander and Ebb's musical The Rink is to play at Southwark Playhouse next year.

The first production to be staged in London in 20 years will be directed by Adam Lenson, with choreography from Fabian Aloise.

The Rink follows Itallian housewife Anna, who runs a roller skating rink. She's about to sell it when her estranged daughter returns, and is determined to save it.

The show originally premiered on Broadway in 1984 and starred Chita Rivera as Anna and Liza Minnelli as her daughter Angel. Musical theatre duo Kander and Ebb's works includes Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman and The Scottsboro Boys. The book for The Rink is by Terence McNally. Casting is to be announced in due course.

Lenson's previous work includes 35mm: A Musical Exhibition and Superhero. He said of The Rink: "Most people are only familiar with their most popular hits Chicago and Cabaret, but The Rink is as innovative as it is underrated and truly pushes the form of musical theatre. I cannot wait for audiences to see this beautiful and complex story."

The Rink runs from 29 May to 29 June with previews from 25 May.