West End dates and venue have been announced for the Chichester Festival Theatre transfer of new musical The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, based on Rachel Joyce’s best-selling novel.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry will play the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London from 29 January 2026, booking to 18 April 2026.
Directed by Katy Rudd (Ballet Shoes, The Ocean at the End of the Lane), The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has a book by Rachel Joyce, based on her hit novel. The adaptation is co-created by Rachel Joyce, Peter Darling and Katy Rudd, with music by chart-topping indie musician Passenger (aka Mike Rosenberg).
The musical ran at Chichester Festival Theatre earlier this summer as part of their 2025 season.
The West End transfer will feature the stars from Chichester, with BAFTA-winner Mark Addy (The Full Monty, The Rig, Game of Thrones) returning to the role of Harold Fry, and Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (Sunday in the Park with George, Hello, Dolly!, Flowers for Mrs Harris) as Maureen.
Further casting is to be announced. In Chichester, the show also starred Olivier Award-nominee Jack Wolfe (Next to Normal) as The Balladeer.
Author Rachel Joyce said in a statement: “I couldn’t be more thrilled that this joyful show has found a home in the West End. I never imagined, when I first wrote the book, that it would become a musical one day, and never in my wildest dreams did I think it might find a home in one of my favourite theatres – the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, which I have known and loved since I was a child. Passenger’s music and lyrics are perfect for this story of hope, as is Katy Rudd’s magical direction.”
Composer Passenger said: “I’m delighted that our journey with Harold Fry continues, and our musical is now heading to the West End. I love Rachel’s beautiful story and resonate deeply with the characters and the journeys they go on. When I was asked to write the music and lyrics for the musical, I instantly knew that it was something that I had to be a part of. It’s been a real labour of love – not just for me, but all of the amazing people involved in the production.”
Video: Song for the Countryside
News of the West End transfer was first revealed last month, marked by the release of a single from the show – ‘Song for the Countryside’, sung by Passenger and former star of the show, Jack Wolfe. Jack isn’t transferring with the show, as he is starring as Orpheus in the Broadway production of Hadestown, making his Broadway debut in the role from 2 September 2025.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a funny, profound, deeply moving and uplifting new musical that centres on Harold Fry – grey, tired and lonely, who receives a letter from an old friend and heads out to post his reply. And just keeps walking, from South Devon to Berwick upon Tweed, leaving his bewildered wife Maureen behind.
See all photos and videos of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry >
Joining Katy Rudd in the creative team are designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, arranger and orchestrator Jeremy Holland-Smith, musical supervisor Phil Bateman, lighting designer Paule Constable, sound designers Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, musical director Chris Poon, and casting director Anna Cooper CDG.
The Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is produced by Chris Harper Productions and Nick Sidi with Len Blavatnik & Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment.
What’s on at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Chris Harper Productions, the team behind current London show The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, is also taking the Theatre Royal Haymarket ahead of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, for a new production of Othello starring David Harewood, Toby Jones & Caitlin FitzGerald, from 23 October 2025 to 17 January 2026.
It was also announced earlier this week that the Theatre Royal Bath production of David Hare’s new play Grace Pervades starring Ralph Fiennes and Miranda Raison, is transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket from April 2026.
Currently playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket is the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Beth Steel’s drama Till the Stars Come Down, until 27 September 2025.
Booking for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London from 29 January 2026, booking to 18 April 2026.
More about tickets toThe Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
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