Michael Blakemore to direct UK premiere of The Life

Award-winning musical The Life will make its UK debut at Southwark Playhouse in March 2017.

The production will be directed by the original director Michael Blakemore and will star Sharon D Clarke (Pigs and Dogs) as Sonja and Cornell S John (Porgy and Bess) as Memphis.

The Life tells the story of a young girl, Queen, and a Vietnam war veteran, Fleetwood, who are trying to make it in New York. Queen is forced into prostitution and is helped by her friend Sonja to escape the business.

The musical opened on Broadway in 1997 and won three Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical.

On bringing the show to the UK, Blakemore said: "Getting The Life on in London has been an ambition of mine ever since we did it on Broadway. The score is Cy Coleman’s masterpiece and we’ll be presenting it with the original 11-piece orchestrations.

"Funny, sharp and extraordinarily poignant, I think it will be something more than just a good night out."

Produced by Amy Anzel and Matt Chisling, the musical will have set and costume by Justin Nardella, choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves, projections by Nina Dunn, lighting by David Howe and musical direction by Tamara Saringer.

Further casting is to be announced.

The Life will run at Southwark Playhouse from 29 March to 29 April 2017, with previews from 25 March.