The National Theatre announces West End transfer for David Eldridge's Beginning

David Eldridge's new play Beginning, which opened at the Dorfman Theatre last month, will transfer into the West End next year for a limited ten-week run.

Starring Sam Troughton and Justine Mitchell (who reprise their roles), the show charts, in real time, an encounter between two individuals striking up a conversation at the end of a house-warming party. As the play progresses the pair take the first steps on the way towards a relationship. Eldridge's previous work includes Holy Warriors at Shakespeare's Globe and the screenplay for the BBC's The Scandalous Lady W, which starred Natalie Dormer.

In her five-star WhatsOnStage review, Sarah Crompton said the show was 'incredibly funny but sometimes so truthful it's almost too painful to watch.' The play will continue its run at the Dorfman until the 14 November.

The show will open at the Ambassadors Theatre, after the current production there, Stomp, closes after 15 years in the West End in January.

Beginning runs at the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre until 14 November. It will open in the West End from 23 January until 24 March, with previews from 15 January.