Laying bare the unspoken rules of 1950s Hollywood, this new production is set for a run at London's Southwark Playhouse Elephant this Autumn.
Artwork for The Code.
Directed by Drama Desk award-winning and Tony-nominated Christopher Renshaw, The Code has been written by Michael McKeever, who will also be presenting his play Daniel's Husband later this year at the Marylebone Theatre.
The Code features an electric cast including two-time Olivier winner Tracie Bennett (Here We Are, National Theatre) as Tallulah Bankhead and star of stage and screen John Partridge (EastEnders, BBC) as Billy Haines. They will be joined by Solomon Davy (Hairspray, UK Tour) as Chad Manford and Nick Blakeley (Underdog: The Other Brontë, National Theatre) as Henry Wilson.
The news of a London transfer comes after industry readings in New York in 2023, of which Tracie Bennett was involved.
The Code centres around a fading star. A rising one. An agent with an agenda. And a legend who’s seen it all.
Writer Michael McKeever said: "I am thrilled to bring this show to London. I look forward to seeing what this splendid team will do with it. It's fascinating to me how relevant the issues in the play have become in these strange times in which we live."
The creative team features set and costume design by Ethan Cheek (This Is My Family, Southwark Playhouse Elephant), lighting design by Jack Weir (The Woman in White, Electric Theatre), and casting by Nicholas Hockaday (The Creakers, Southbank Centre). The full creative team will be announced at a later date.
The Code will play at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 12 September to 11 October 2025.
