Mad Men star Bryan Batt to make London stage debut in HERE COMES J EDGAR! at King’s Head Theatre
Star of the hit US TV series Mad Men Bryan Batt is set to take London by storm this summer as J Edgar Hoover in the world premiere of the sizzling new comedy musical, Here Comes J Edgar!, which plays at London’s King’s Head Theatre from 10 July - 16 August.
Batt, who starred as the closeted art director Salvatore Romano in the TV blockbuster set in a 1960s Manhattan advertising agency, makes his London stage debut in the role of the long-serving FBI boss in the eagerly-awaited stage-show, written by US comedy aristocracy, Harry Shearer and Tom Leopold, with a musical score written by the legendary musician, composer, arranger, and conductor Peter Matz.
This raucous, no-holds-barred musical tells the public and private story of J. Edgar Hoover who, as director of the FBI from 1924 to 1972, secured his position as the most powerful man in America by gathering information on the private lives of others. Yet, behind all the machismo, was his concealed sexuality, his secret partying and his lifelong love affair with his deputy, Clyde Tolson. This was a man who stopped at nothing to use the secrets of others to build and exert his control … yet underneath the petticoats of power lay his own secrets … hidden … in plain sight.
This weird and twisted tale is told in the style of a 1950s musical romantic comedy. What emerges is a sharp and irrepressible comic musical about the love of power and the power of love … and what a simple black dress and a single strand of pearls can do for a guy!
Bryan Batt said: “I am beyond thrilled to make my London theatrical debut in Here Comes J Edgar! at Kings Head Theatre this summer. I truly love everything about London; the people, the history, the culture, and especially the theatre. It's a special assigment to play a historical figure, especially one so shrouded in intrigue and nefarious rumor. The creators Tom Leopold, Peter Matz, and Harry Shearer have crafted a hysterical, sometimes touching, and wildly entertaining musical. Fun will be had by all...including the cast!
The show is directed by Josh Seymour, with choreography by Bill Deamer, musical supervision by Benjamin Ferguson, set design by Sophia Pardon, costumes by Tom Paris, lighting by Jamie Platt, sound by Nick Lodgeand, and casting by Harry Blumenau CDG CSA.
Further casting is to be announced.
