Frank & Percy to star Ian McKellen, Roger Allam, Stephen Fry, Ncuti Gatwa, Jessica Gunning, Joanna Lumley, Derek Jacobi & Siân Phillips
Ben Weatherill’s hit play Frank and Percy is getting the big screen treatment, with a new film now in development.
The stars of the stage production of Frank and Percy are returning to their roles for the film, with multi-award-winners Ian McKellen (The Player Kings, The Lord of the Rings) playing Percy and Roger Allam (Les Misérables, Endeavour) playing Frank.
The movie of Frank and Percy is written by Martin Sherman (Mrs. Henderson Presents, Bent) based on Ben Weatherill’s play, and is directed once again by Sean Mathias (Bent).
The film’s cast will also feature Stephen Fry (The Importance of Being Earnest, Gosford Park), Jessica Gunning (Pride, Baby Reindeer), Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous, Wednesday), Derek Jacobi (Gladiator, Vicious), Ncuti Gatwa (Born With Teeth, Doctor Who), and Siân Phillips (Summer 1954, I, Claudius).
Frank and Percy movie – Ian McKellen, Roger Allam, Stephen Fry, Ncuti Gatwa, Joanna Lumley, Sian Phillips, Derek Jacobi & Jessica Gunning (Photos via agents, Ncuti photo (c) RSC)
Icon Film Distribution will release the film theatrically in the UK, with Kaleidoscope Film Distribution picking up rest-of-world rights.
The film is financed by John Gore Studios and Bill Kenwright Ltd’s BK Studios. The late Bill Kenwright originally produced the play on stage.
The movie’s producers are John Gore, David Gilbery and Naomi George, with Executive Producers including Hilary Strong and Jamie Anderson for John Gore Studios, alongside Louis Santor and Karl Sydow (Dirty Dancing on Stage).
Spencer Pollard, CEO of Kaleidoscope, said in a statement: “Frank and Percy is an exceptional project that we are so glad to be able to work with the team at BK Studios once more and to have John Gore Studios be part of this fabulous film shows what we can do as a group when coming together and joining forces. I’m very grateful for both parties’ support and look forward to showing the World next year this brilliant script.”
Frank and Percy premiered at the Theatre Royal Windsor in 2023 enjoying strong reviews, and went on to play a sold-out run at The Other Palace Theatre in London, and at Theatre Royal Bath.
The play is billed as a poignant and witty take on the unexpected relationship that blossoms between two men. Devoted to their dogs, they believe that human connection is far more temperamental. But as their dogs play in the park, can Frank, a widowed schoolteacher and Percy, a somewhat radical elder statesman, find the time for new infatuation, or should they just let sleeping dogs lie?
On stage, the play was directed by Sean Mathias, with design by Morgan Large, lighting design by Nick Richings and sound design by Andy Graham (sound design).
Stephen Fry is about to star as Lady Bracknell in Max Webster’s revival of Oscar Wilde comedy The Importance of Being Earnest at the Noel Coward Theatre in London, alongside Olly Alexander as Algernon.
Ncuti Gatwa is currently starring in the West End in Born With Teeth at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London. The Doctor Who and Sex Education star previously played Algernon in Max Webster’s revival of The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre.
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