Bristol Old Vic's groundbreaking musical The Grinning Man will transfer to West End

Following a triumphant premiere as part of the Theatre’s 250th Anniversary season, Bristol Old Vic is delighted to announce the long awaited news that The Grinning Man will transfer to the West End for a run in Studio 1 at Trafalgar Studios. Performances will begin on Tuesday 5 December, with tickets going on sale next Wednesday 11 October.

The rumour mill has been speculating since August about the possibility of a future life for this trailblazing musical from director Tom Morris and we are delighted to be able to confirm this today.   This production joins several other recent Bristol Old Vic hit shows in transferring to the London stage, including Peter Pan and Jane Eyre at the National Theatre and Long Day’s Journey Into Night starring Jeremy Irons and Lesley Manville at Wyndham’s Theatre opening January 2018.   A strange new act has arrived at the fairground. Who is Grinpayne and how did he get his hideous smile? Helped by an old man, a lone wolf and a blind girl, his story must be told. The epic tale of an abandoned child with a terrible secret. A disfigured youth who is desperate to hide and a sightless girl who longs to be discovered. Let the darkness seduce you.   The Grinning Man is a macabre new musical directed by Tom Morris and based on The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo (Les Misérables). Brought to life by writer Carl Grose (Dead Dog in a Suitcase), “powered by an outstanding score” (The Sunday Times) from Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler and puppetry from Gyre& Gimble, the original puppeteers of War Horse. The cast is led by Louis Maskell and Julian Bleach, who will reprise the roles of Grinpayne and Barkilphedro during the London run.   After gaining cult-like status amongst Bristolians who caught the show at Bristol Old Vic, the production has garnered major award nominations (WhatsOnStage Awards, UK Theatre Awards, BroadwayWorld UK Awards) and a flurry of critical acclaim (“blackly comic brilliance” The Telegraph, “defies theatrical convention” The Guardian) proving laughter really is the best medicine.

Tickets are now on sale.

A special limited allocation of tickets are available directly through Bristol Old Vic by calling 0117 987 7877 or visiting www.bristololdvic.org.uk/on-to.... Tickets can also be purchased in person at Bristol Old Vic Box Office.

Further tickets are available through ATG tickets on 0844 871 7632 / www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-grinning-man/trafalgar-studios.