Comic at the vanguard of theatre reopenings

Adam Kay has announced a return to the live stage with his hit show This Is Going To Hurt.

The medic turned comedian turned bestselling author is to perform run at the Apollo Theatre  In London’s West End, as the venue reopens its doors to a socially distanced audience after six months dark. 

It is one of six Nimax Theatres, co-owned by Edinburgh Comedy Award producer Nica Burns, that are opening their doors from this autumn, with many seats removed, at-seat drink ordering and one-way systems in their narrow  corridors.

Burns told The Sunday Times: ‘Anyone who is tall is going to be happy. When we put all the seats back at the end of the social distancing they may think: hang on a minute, oh no they’ve put the seats back.’

Comedies The Play That Goes Wrong and Magic Goes Wrong, below,  are also set to return within weeks. 

In a statement, Burns said: ‘Although with reduced capacities it is not possible to make a profit, we will be earning a contribution to our costs’

Kay’s show will run for three weeks, from October 22 to November 8, kicking off with a gala night free for NHS staff.

He said: ‘It’s extremely heartening that Theatreland is starting to gear up again’ - saying it would help hundreds of behind-the-scenes staff keep their jobs.​

‘I’m very proud to return to the West End, following the extraordinary efforts of Nimax to do so in a way that’s safe for staff and theatregoers alike,’ he added.

The stage version of his bestselling junior doctor memoirs has been  seen by more than 200,000 people, including  Fringe runs from 2016 to 2019, UK tours and several West End runs.

 This Is Going To Hurt is also being turned into a  comedy-drama for the BBC and AMC in America, starring Ben Whishaw. 

Kay’s follow-up, Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas, sold more than 500,000 copies, and his recent anthology Dear NHS raised more than £250,000 for charity. 

His first children’s book Kay’s Anatomy: A Complete (And Completely Disgusting) Guide To The Human Body is published by on October 15. Order here.

Tickets on sale from noon today at www.nimaxtheatres.com from noon today, when NHS staff can also enter a lottery for free tickets.

Published: 13 Sep 2020