Mad Men star Bryan Batt to make UK stage debut in Here Comes J Edgar! musical

Exclusive: Mad Men star Bryan Batt will make his London stage debut this summer, leading the world premiere of Here Comes J Edgar! at King’s Head Theatre.

The actor, best known for playing Salvatore Romano in the acclaimed television series Mad Men, will take on the role of J Edgar Hoover in the new comedy musical, which runs from 10 July to 16 August 2026, with a press night on 16 July.

Written by Harry Shearer (The Simpsons) and Tom Leopold (Cheers), with music by Peter Matz, the show explores the public and private life of Hoover, who led the FBI from 1924 to 1972, including his long-rumoured connection with deputy Clyde Tolson, framed through the lens of a 1950s-style musical comedy.

The production is directed by Josh Seymour, with choreography by Bill Deamer and musical supervision by Benjamin Ferguson. Design is by Sophia Pardon, with costumes by Tom Paris, lighting by Jamie Platt and sound by Nick Lodge. Casting is by Harry Blumenau, with general management by James Quaife for Luminous Entertainment Group.

Batt said he was “beyond thrilled” to be making his London debut, describing the show as “hysterical, sometimes touching, and wildly entertaining”, while Shearer added: “Aside from his more serious acting, Bryan has lit the stage up the past several years in our annual Christmas Without Tears show in New Orleans: funny, great singing, and, to quote Stephen Sondheim, graceful as a grouse.”

The musical draws on the writers’ extensive comedy backgrounds, which include credits across American television and film, and pairs them with a score by Matz, whose work spans collaborations with figures such as Barbra Streisand and Carol Burnett.

Performances will run Tuesday to Sunday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are on sale below.