Theatre News

Xanadu musical gets UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse

The Tony-nominated show is adapted from the cult 1980s film

Xanadu, the Broadway musical adapted from the cult 1980s movie starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, will receive its UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse later this year.

The production will run 16 October to 21 November 2015, with tickets now on sale.

Billed as a "hilarious roller skating musical adventure", the show sees Greek muse Kira descend from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to open the first roller disco.

Xanadu has a book by Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed) and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.

The Southwark Playhouse production is directed by Paul Warwick Griffin and designed by Morgan Large, with choreography by Nathan M Wright.

The score includes "Magic", "Suddenly", "I'm Alive", "Evil Woman", "All Over the World" and the iconic title song.

Xanadu originally opened at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway in 2007 where it ran for over 500 performances, winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Best Book. It was also nominated for four Tony Awards.

Poster image for Xanadu
Poster image for Xanadu