Benjamin Walker in American Psycho at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, New York. Picture: Jeremy Daniel
Rupert Goold will revisit his acclaimed production of American Psycho in his final season as artistic director of the Almeida Theatre.
The stage musical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial 1991 best-seller will return to the London venue over a decade after its world premiere at the start of Goold’s tenure as artistic director.
Featuring music and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and a book by playwright, screenwriter and comic book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Pretty Little Liars), the original production was directed by Goold and starred former Dr Who, Matt Smith as serial-killing banker Patrick Bateman. Goold also took charge of the musical’s Broadway debut run at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre which starred Benjamin Walker as Bateman. Walker previously played Bateman in the 2011 New York workshop of the musical.
Running from 24 January to 14 March 2026, the revival will be the final production in Goold’s swansong season which features 10 productions including four world premieres.
Announcing the season, Goold said: “Today we announce my final season as artistic director at the Almeida. A season that, I hope, captures the spirit and values of our past 12 years. We present 10 productions including four world premieres, four revivals of classic plays and a revisit of the musical from my first season at the Almeida.
“New writing has always been a central pillar of our work so I’m proud to be premiering brand new plays from four of the most exciting voices in the country. Three of the writers are new to us in Alice Birch, Jack Holden and Sam Grabiner, while Carmen Nasr returns following her Almeida Young Company production The Maladies in 2022.
“Another artist continuing their journey with us is Ebenezer Bamgboye who was on our resident director scheme in 2018 and now gives his take on Eugene O’Neill’s Desire Under the Elms, featuring Zackary Momoh. This great American play joins Joe Hill-Gibbins and Anya Reiss’ new version of A Doll’s House, with Romola Garai following up her Olivier Award-winning performance in The Years; Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Sarah Kane’s infamous Cleansed; and Josh O’Connor featuring in Clifford Odets’ Golden Boy, directed by Sam Yates.
“I will be revisiting my production of American Psycho, the show with which I launched my tenure back in 2013 – partly to explore what may have changed since then.
“It’s a complex feeling to leave Islington and this unique theatre for a new challenge south of the river so it’s particularly pleasing that before I go, we will also present the second instalment of our Islington Trilogy community productions – a project that celebrates Islington and everyone who lives and works here. While we have looked to the world for our stories, our artists and our influence, our identity has remained as a local theatre.
“I look forward to seeing you over the next 18 months and thank you to everyone – artists, makers, supporters and above all audiences – for your support over the last decade.”
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.