Matt Smith makes musical debut with Almeida's American Psycho

Doctor Who star Matt Smith is set to star in the upcoming stage adaptation of American Psycho at the Almeida Theatre, which opens in December.

Smith will make his musical theatre debut in Rupert Goold's production, in which he will lead the ensemble as Patrick Bateman.

The cast also includes: Ben Aldridge, Charlie Anson, Jonathan Bailey, Katie Brayben, Cassandra Compton, Holly Dale Spencer, Susannah Fielding, Simon Gregor, Holly James, Lucie Jones, Tom Kay, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Eugene McCoy and Hugh Skinner.

Rehearsals for the show, which is based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, begin today (7 October). It opens at the Almeida on 12 December 2013 (previews from 3 December).

American Psycho, which was famously adapted into a 2000 film starring Christian Bale, tells the story a self-possessed serial killer working on Wall Street in the 1980s.

A blackly comic satire of American corporate greed, it has sold more than 1.6 million copies worldwide. The film adaptation was a critical success but commercial failure, grossing just $15 million at the US and Canadian box office. The film, which has gone on to become a cult classic, was directed by Mary Harron.

Matt Smith is best known for being the eleventh Doctor Who. His theatre credits include Swimming with Sharks (Vaudeville), That Face (Duke of York's) and The History Boys (National). He is a former member of National Youth Theatre, for which he is a patron.

American Psycho is composed by Tony and Olivier-Award winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) with a book by playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Glee, Spiderman).

Set design is by Es Devlin, costume design is by Katrina Lindsay, with choreography by Lynne Page, lighting by Jon Clark, musical direction from David Shrubsole, sound by Paul Arditti and video by Finn Ross.

American Psycho runs at the Almeida Theatre from 3 December until 25 January 2014. If the production proves a success at the Almeida it is expected to transfer to the West End and also Broadway.

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