London
The Tricycle Theatre’s WhatsOnStage award-nominated production will open in the West End on 10 April, running until 2 August
Moira Buffini's WhatsOnStage award-nominated Handbagged will transfer to the Vaudeville Theatre, opening on 10 April 2014 (previews from 3 April).
The move sees the Tricycle Theatre's first West End transfer under Indhu Rubasingham's tenure as artistic director of the Kilburn venue, and the production will open as Rubasingham's Red Velvet starring Adrian Lester runs in New York.
Handbagged is Buffini's take on the relationship between the Queen and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, based on her short play from Women, Power & Politics. Nominated for two WhatsOnStage Awards this year (Best New Comedy and Best Ensemble Performance), it originally ran last year at the Tricycle Theatre.
Marion Bailey, Stella Gonet, Fenella Woolgar, Neet Mohan and Jeff Rawle reprise their original roles, and will be joined by Lucy Robinson, who takes over from Clare Holman, to complete the company.
Indhu Rubasingham, who directs the play, said: "It's thrilling to be transferring Moira Buffini's wonderful new play to the Vaudeville Theatre after our sold out run at the Tricycle. Having nurtured it since 2010, this is a fantastic opportunity to continue the Tricycle’s long tradition of bringing new work to the widest possible audience."
Handbagged features designs by Richard Kent, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, and sound design by Carolyn Downing, and is presented by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Tricycle London Productions. It runs at the Vaudeville Theatre until 2 August 2014.