UK/Ireland Tour | 20 weeks, 15 cities | Tour began May 19, 2026 @ Barbican Theatre, London (Investment)

Tour Dates:

May 19 – July 11, 2026 – London | Barbican Theatre

July 14 – 18, 2026 – High Wycombe | Swan Theatre

July 21 – 25, 2026 – Cardiff | New Theatre

July 28 – August 1, 2026 – Southend | Cliffs Pavilion

August 11 – 15, 2026 – Belfast | Grand Opera House

August 18 – 22, 2026 – Birmingham | Alexandra Theatre

August 25 – 29, 2026 – Leeds | Grand Theatre

September 1 – 5, 2026 – Glasgow | King's Theatre

September 8 – 12, 2026 – Edinburgh | Playhouse Theatre

September 15 – 19, 2026 – Norwich | Theatre Royal

September 22 – October 3, 2026 – Salford | The Lowry

October 6 – 10, 2026 – Bromley | Churchill Theatre

October 20 – 24, 2026 – Dublin | Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

October 27 – 31, 2026 – Canterbury | Marlowe Theatre

November 3 – 7, 2026 – Nottingham | Theatre Royal

November 10 – 14, 2026 – Eastbourne | Congress Theatre

November 17 – 21, 2026 – Dartford | Orchard Theatre

Creative Team

This lavish new revival of Cole Porter’s golden-age musical masterpiece features a book by Arthur Kopit, with iconic music and lyrics by Cole Porter and additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead. Based on Philip Barry's play The Philadelphia Story, the production is brought to life by acclaimed director Rachel Kavanaugh (Half a Sixpence), with dazzling choreography by Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia!), set designs by Tom Rogers, and a soaring full-size live orchestra.

Synopsis

Set at a luxurious, sprawling waterfront estate, the musical follows the fiercely glamorous and wealthy socialite Tracy Lord as she prepares for the society wedding of the year to a dependable, if entirely boring, gentleman. However, her meticulously planned nuptials quickly spiral into delightful, champagne-fueled chaos. Over the course of one chaotic weekend, Tracy finds her heart pulled in three directions by the sudden reappearance of her charmingly impetuous ex-husband, a sharp-eyed tabloid journalist sent to dig up family scandal, and her straight-laced fiancé.

Production History

Hot on the heels of the Barbican’s smash-hit revivals of Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate, this brand-new production originally premiered at London's Barbican Theatre for a strictly limited summer engagement from May 19 to July 11, 2026. Following rave five-star reviews from London critics, the lavish production immediately launched a major, highly anticipated 20-week UK and Ireland touring engagement, bringing the golden-age spectacular to major regional houses through late autumn 2026.

Cast Highlights

The production features a massive 28-strong company anchored by some of the UK’s most recognizable stage and screen stars:

• Tracy Lord:Helen George, the beloved star of BBC’s Call the Midwife and West End veteran (The King and I), leads the production as the captivating, headstrong socialite.

• The Suitors: Celebrated screen and stage star Freddie Fox (Slow Horses) makes his highly anticipated musical theater debut as the cynical reporter Mike Connor, opposite Julian Ovenden (South Pacific, Bridgerton) as Tracy’s slick ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven.

• The Elite Ensemble: The stellar principal lineup is completed by Olivier Award nominee Nigel Lindsay (Kiss Me, Kate) as the eccentric Uncle Willie, Malcolm Sinclair as Seth Lord, and Carly Mercedes Dyer as the sharp-witted photographer Liz Imbrie.