We’ve got some sweet news to share with you. Sweet Charity is coming back to the West End, and it’s returning with an equally sweet cast.
Anne-Marie Duff (Shameless, Nowhere Boy) will star as Charity, and Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) will play the role of Oscar, in his Donmar debut.
Set in New York, 1967, Charity is the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall hostess who’s struggling to find love. At the hopeless end of a long line of users and losers, she finally meets Oscar, a mild-mannered tax accountant, and Charity Hope Valentine once again puts her faith in love.
Playing at the Donmar Warehouse, the show will also be the final production of its Artistic Director, Josie Rourke. As well as a farewell show, it’ll also be a reunion for Josie and Anne-Marie, having previously worked together on the Donmar’s production of Berenice in 2012. Josie has also previously worked with Sweet Charity’s choreographer, Wayne McGregor, on her debut film Mary Queen of Scots.
As a parting gift to the audience, all tickets for Friday performances between 19 April – 31 May will be free to anyone aged 25 and under. Allocated in a ballot system, Sweet Fridays will also be inviting schools from every London borough to see the show for free.
Josie Rourke said:
“Part of my mission as the Donmar’s Artistic Director has been to create cheap and free access for audiences, particularly young people. Through the generosity of Susie Sainsbury and The Backstage Trust, I’m able to finish my time at the Donmar on the happiest of notes, with something I really care about – great theatre for all young people.
“I’m so happy to be joined in my final production as Donmar Artistic Director by the luminous Anne-Marie Duff, making her musical theatre debut, and the great Wayne McGregor. They are two of the finest people, and collaborators I’ve worked with, and this reunion with them, and the music of Cy Coleman is a joyous way to end a dozen years as an Artistic Director from the Bush to the Donmar.”
Sweet Charity will be on for a limited run between 6 April – 8 June 2019. Public sale tickets and ballot tickets go on sale on Thursday 21 February.