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Thelma & Louise Musical to Make World Premiere at the Young Vic With Rachel Tucker and Amy Lennox

A new musical adaptation of Thelma & Louise will make its world premiere at London’s Young Vic this autumn, with Rachel Tucker and Amy Lennox confirmed to lead the production as Louise and Thelma. The new stage version will run in the Young Vic’s Main House from 3 September to 24 October 2026, with priority booking opening on 20 April and public booking from 23 April.

The production is a major new collaboration, billed as a co-production between the Young Vic, Sonia Friedman Productions, Blue Spruce Productions, Ley Line Entertainment and Callie Khouri, with Mandy Greenfield in association with MGM On Stage. Khouri, who wrote the screenplay for the original 1991 film, has written the book for the musical, while Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Neko Case has provided the music and lyrics. The show will be directed by Trip Cullman.

Based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, the musical retells the story of two friends whose spontaneous road trip takes a life-changing turn after a troubling encounter at a roadside bar. The Young Vic describes the piece as a wild, hilarious and emotionally charged reimagining of the film, more than three decades after the original became a cultural landmark.

The creative team attached to the production is extensive. Choreography comes from Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, with scenography by Christine Jones and Brett J. Banakis. Costume design is by Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting design by Natasha Chivers and sound design by Gareth Owen. Kimberly Grigsby will serve as musical supervisor, with orchestrations and arrangements by John Clancy and musical direction by Ed Bussey. Additional music is by Carl Newman, Paul Rigby and Zoe Sarnak.

Further creatives announced for the production include creative producers Mandy Greenfield and Sonia Friedman Productions, with Imogen Brodie as creative consultant. Casting is by Stuart Burt, with Peter Noden as casting associate. Kev McCurdy is fight director, Yarit Dor is intimacy director, Danièle Lydon is voice and dialect coach, Chelsea Walker is associate director, Matthew Buttrey is associate designer and Rob Jones is associate sound designer. Jeff Galegher is music producer, Sylvia Addison is orchestra manager and RCI Theatricals will serve as US general managers.

In a statement released with the announcement, Khouri said she was thrilled to be collaborating with the Young Vic and its producing partners on a newly reimagined version of the story, describing it as a wild and emotional ride elevated by the contributions of Case, Cullman and the wider creative team. The production has also been confirmed as being supported by Sophie Hale, Roland Rudd and the Charlotte Aitken Trust.

The musical has been in development for some time. Reports in 2023 indicated that earlier workshop plans involved Evan Rachel Wood and Amanda Seyfried, but the newly announced Young Vic run marks the first confirmed full production and official unveiling of its lead cast.

With a beloved title, original screenwriter involvement and a major creative team now locked in, Thelma & Louise is shaping up as one of the most closely watched new musical premieres of the London season.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com

Belaid S

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