Movie cult classic Withnail and I is getting a stage adaptation by its creator, Bruce Robinson.
The 1987 film comedy will run at the Birmingham Rep theatre from 3 to 25 May 2025, directed by the theatre’s artistic director Sean Foley (Dr. Strangelove).
The story of two London actors who go on holiday to the Lake District starred Richard E Grant as the alcoholic Withnail and Paul McGann as the narrator, “I”, and has spawned a million comedy quotes since it premiered in 1987.
The film’s writer and director Bruce Robinson is adapting the movie, and his original novel, for the theatre, based on Robinson’s experiences being an out-of-work actor. Bruce Robinson also wrote the screenplay for 1984 movie The Killing Fields, bagging an Oscar nomination.
Director Sean Foley said in a statement: “Hilarious, tragic, and wild, Withnail and I is a comedy like no other, and I’m thrilled to be working with the legendary Bruce Robinson to bring it to life on stage… In fact, where better for the extraordinarily funny tale of two unemployed actors who go on holiday, ‘by mistake’? Rightly regarded as one of the finest British film’s ever made, our world premiere stage version brings to life the classic dialogue, the insane situations, and above all the boozy, irresistibly hilarious relationship of one of the most famous slacker duo’s ever created.”
The show will be designed by Alice Power, with further creatives to be announced.
Casting is also to be announced, and Sean Foley told The Guardian newspaper that “I’m very keen to hear from actors who want to be in this play. They are amazing parts and I’m very excited to see who we cast.”
Currently playing at the Birmingham Rep is new show Sinatra The Musical until 28 October 2023, starring Matt Doyle. The Birmingham Rep is also a co-producer of Minority Report, another big movie-to-stage adaptation that is coming to London’s Lyric Hammersmith in April 2024, adapted by David Haig and directed by Max Webster.
More about Withnail and I tickets
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