Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy Harvey comes to the West End

Oliver Mitford 26 January, 2015, 09:18

Harvey Harvey, Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, recently revived by star director Lindsay Posner, is set to arrive at the Theatre Royal Haymarket after opening at the Birmingham REP and embarking on a mini UK tour.

The production stars West End regular Maureen Lipman, and star of the popular BBC comedy series Gimme Gimme Gimme, James Dreyfus. The pair will play a limited run, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 17 March 2015.

Written in 1944, Harvey tells the comic story of Elwood Dowd (James Dreyfus) and his lifelong companionship with his invisible friend. However, this imaginary pal takes the form of a six-foot, three-and-a-half-inch tall long-eared rabbit that goes by the name of Harvey.

Many will remember the 1950 film version of the same name that was directed by Henry Koster and stared Josephine Hull as Elwood Dowd’s sister, Veta and James Steward as the now iconic figure of the man with the invisible friend, Elwood P. Dowd.

Director Lindsay Posner leads the formidable creative team of lighting designer Howard Harrison, set designer Peter McKintosh and sound designer Paul Groothuis.

The supporting cast includes David Bamber (William Chumley), Amanda Boxer (Miss Ethel Chauvenet), Ingrid Oliver (Myrtle Mae Simmons), Sally Scott (Nurse Kelly), Jack Hawkins (Lyman Sanderson), Desmond Barrit (Judge Gaffney), Linal Haft (E J Lofgren), Felicity Dean (Betty Chumley) and Youssef Kerkour (Duane Wilson).

Harvey opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 17 March 2015.

Harvey tickets