Tony Award winner Jim Dale will bring his New York hit one-man show Just Jim Dale to the Vaudeville Theatre this summer in an appearance that will mark the 50th anniversary of the celebrated performer’s West End musical debut.
Directed by fellow Tony Award winner Richard Maltby Jnr, the production will play from 26 May to 20 June at the very same theatre where Dale appeared in The Wayward Way in 1965.
His critically acclaimed show takes audiences on a journey through his incredible career with a myriad of showbiz tales, songs and performances.
Boasting two Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards and credits in numerous productions on both sides of the pond, Dale’s incredible story of his life in the spotlight includes joining the National Theatre at the request of Sir Laurence Olivier, Broadway triumphs in high profile musicals and even narrating all seven Harry Potter books, earning two Guinness World Records in the process.
British audiences may know the Northamptonshire-born actor best for his film work that has included roles in 11 Carry On films and Disney’s popular Pete’s Dragon. On Broadway he has appeared in musicals including Candide, Threepenny Opera and Barnum, which he starred in alongside Glenn Close. In 2003, his achievements were officially recognised in his home country when he was awarded an MBE.
Just Jim Dale played Off-Broadway last summer when it was met with rave reviews. The New York Times gave the show a rare five stars, exclaiming: “Jim Dale says it all and does it all. He has a love of the spotlight that spreads it warmth to the remotest rows of the audience.”
It was during this run that one of London’s top producers, Nica Burns, made the decision to bring the show to London, explaining: “I was so stunned by Jim Dale’s performance when I saw him in New York that I rushed backstage afterwards and begged him to come to London.”
The show will follow current comedy Di And Viv And Rose into the theatre when the tale of friendship concludes its run on 23 May. Following Dale’s limited season at the venue, another theatrical legend, David Suchet, will take to the Vaudeville Theatre stage to lead Adrian Noble’s take on the classic comedy The Importance Of Being Earnest.