TV writer Simon Nye's first play The Crown Jewels officially opens its West End debut at the Garrick Theatre July 19 after beginning previews July 7. Playing through September 16, the production will subsequently go on a tour of the U.K. this fall.
Al Murray leads the cast as King Charles II/Talbot Edwards in his West End acting debut. Joining him are Mel Giedroyc (The Great British Bake Off) as Mrs Edwards/French Noblewoman, Carrie Hope Fletcher (Bad Cinderella) as Elizabeth Edwards/ Lady of the Bedchamber, Aidan McArdle (Leopoldstadt) as Colonel Blood, Neil Morrissey (Men Behaving Badly) as Captain Perrot/Tourist, Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners) as Tom Blood Jnr/ Tourist, and Tanvi Virmani (Life of Pi) as Jenny Blaine/Jailer. The company is completed by Adonis Siddique as Wythe Edwards/Footman, Dedun Omole as Footman, Ryan Lane as William Smith/Footman, Kieran Brown as Footman, and Emma Bown as Footman.
Based on a true story, The Crown Jewels tells one of the boldest heist attempts in British history when Colonel Blood attempted to steal the crown jewels—in plain sight. Multi-Olivier winner Sean Foley (Upstart Crow) directs. Completing the creative team are set and costume Designer Michael Taylor, lighting designer Natasha Chivers, and sound designer Andy Graham. Music is by Grant Olding.
Nye said in a statement, “True crime comes to the West End, 350 years after the event...Satire, sword-fighting, love, violence, an examination of the monarchy and Anglo-Irish relations—could you ask for anything more?"
Foley described the work in a statement as “an entirely modern take on the Restoration comedy." The timing of the production is particularly worth noting as it is set in the time England gained a new king whose name was Charles, echoing the current state of the U.K. as King Charles III has recently ascended the throne.
The production will make stops this fall at Salford's The Lowry (September 19-23), Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre (September 25-30), Cardiff's New Theatre (October 2-7), and Milton Keynes Theatre (October 10-14).
The Crown Jewels is produced by Simon Friend in association with Adam Kenwright, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Jenny King, Gavin Kalin, David Adkin, and JAS Productions.
