The National Theatre's hit musical Pride, adapted from the 2014 film by Matthew Warchus and Stephen Beresford, will transfer to the Bridge Theatre starting November 12, with an initial booking period of approximately six months. Tickets go on sale on September 2.
The production, which recounts the true story of solidarity between London's gay community and striking miners during the 1984-85 miners' strike, has been sold out since its debut in the intimate Dorfman Theatre. The transfer to the much larger Bridge Theatre, which is not subsidised, marks a significant step up in scale.
Acclaimed production moves to larger venue
Time Out awarded the production five stars, with critic Tom Wicker declaring: 'It's an impassioned and timely plea for seeking out common ground. You'll laugh-cry your way through it.' Critics have praised the show as a brilliant mix of comedy, tragedy, rallying cry, and tear-jerker.
The move follows the National Theatre's new policy of incubating new musicals in smaller venues before transferring them to larger spaces. The Bridge Theatre, which has had a notably empty schedule recently, will host Pride after the current production of The Oresteia concludes.
Cast and future plans
Current cast members Samuel Barnett, Matthew Durkan, Gillian Elisa, Chris Jenkins, Darren Lawrence, Kirsty Malpass, Madeleine Morgan, Sarah Pugh, Caroline Sheen, Courtney Stapleton, and Matthew Woodyatt will return for the transfer. Other roles, including the lead part of Mark Ashton—the young activist who forged the alliance between the gay community and miners—are likely to be recast.
The Bridge Theatre's future plans have been uncertain since its recent acquisition by Trafalgar Entertainment. The transfer may indicate a shift toward more conventional West End-style programming, though a Chris Pine-starring production of Chekhov's Ivanov is scheduled for next summer, suggesting a limited run for Pride.
Booking details
Tickets for Pride at the Bridge Theatre go on sale on September 2. The production is expected to run for approximately six months from its November 12 opening.
