It’s been announced that a new revival of MAN OF LA MANCHA, starring Kelsey Grammer, will play at the West End’s London Coliseum next Spring, presented by the English National Opera.

Grammer returns to London to play Miguel de Cervantes / Don Quixote in the musical, following Grammer’s London debut last Christmas in BIG FISH at The Other Palace. The actor, best known for his appearances in the sitcoms Cheers and its spinoff Frasier has built a credible reputation onstage in the last few years. His credits include the Broadway run of FINDING NEVERLAND, and a Tony nominated turn in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES.

Grammer is joined by famed soprano Danielle de Niese, who will play Aldonza and Dulcinea in the production. de Niese will be performing in the role for 33 performances, with further casting for her role, and the production, to be announced.

MAN OF LA MANCHA will be directed in a semi-staged production by Lonny Price, who returns to the Coliseum following his stagings of CAROUSEL with Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins in 2017, SUNSET BOULEVARD with Glenn Close in 2016 (which subsequently transferred to Broadway), and SWEENEY TODD with Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel in 2015. The show will be conducted by David White, with set by James Noone, lighting by Rick Fisher and sound by Mick Potter. The production will utilise the ENO’s 35-piece orchestra.

Set in a 16th century dungeon, the story follows Cervantes and his man servant who await trial from the Spanish Inquisition. In his possession he has a trunk carrying an unfinished novel, Don Quixote. As prisoners attempt to steal his possessions, Cervantes embarks on acting out his novel as his defence, transforming himself into Alonso Quijano.

Quijano, deluded, believes he is a knight errant, renames himself Don Quixote de la Mancha, and sets off on a fantastical quest with his man servant Sancho Panza.

The musical, by Dale Wasserman, Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh, premiered in Connecticut in 1965 before transferring to Broadway that same year. MAN OF LA MANCHA picked up five Tony awards including Best Musical and ran for over 2000 performances. This ENO production marks the first major revival in London, over 50 years since its West End premiere back in 1968. The musical features the iconic number ‘The Impossible Dream’, a song that has been recorded countless times.

MAN OF LA MANCHA opens at the London Coliseum from 26th April, running for a strictly limited season to 8th June. Tickets for the production are on sale now.