David Morrissey and Johnny Flynn will reprise their roles in Martin McDonagh’s critically acclaimed play Hangmen when it transfers to the West End this winter.
The story of England’s second best hangman on the day hanging is abolished will play at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 1 December (press night 7 December) to 5 March following its Royal Court run.
Described as “tremendous and terrifying” by The Guardian, Hangmen marks the first play by McDonagh to be staged in London for more than a decade.
Directed by Matthew Dunster, the black comedy tells the story of Harry, who is something of a celebrity in his local Oldham pub. As cub reporters and sycophantic regulars gather around desperate to hear his reaction to the news, a peculiar stranger lurks with a different motive altogether.
Morrissey plays hangman Harry in the production alongside Flynn as the lurking stranger. They are joined in the current Royal Court cast by Josef Davies, James Dryden, Graeme Hawley, Ralph Ineson, Bronwyn James, Ryan Pope, Sally Rogers, Simon Rouse and Reece Shearsmith, but full casting for the West End transfer is still to be announced.
According to Daily Mail columnist Baz Bamigboye, Shearsmith will not be transferring with the production due to filming commitments.
Talking about the forthcoming transfer, the Royal Court’s Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone said: “We are delighted that Hangmen will have a future life in the West End. It’s been thrilling to be able to continue the legacy of Martin McDonagh’s work at the Royal Court. Hangmen will become a modern classic. This stunning production has been a huge success here and a commercial life will mean it can be seen by many more people – which is, after all why we make theatre.”
Hangmen will open at the Wyndham’s Theatre following the current run of another West End transfer, The Father. The Theatre Royal Bath production, which enjoyed a run at London’s Tricycle Theatre earlier this year, will play until 21 November.