Steve Coogan to play Dr Strangelove on stage
Steve Coogan will take the lead roles in Dr Strangelove in the stage adaption of Stanley Kubrick's classic 1964 cold war satire, it has been announced
In the original, Peter Sellers played US president Merkin Muffley, RAF officer Lionel Mandrake and the titular character – an insane nuclear war expert and former Nazi.
The show is adapted by Armando Iannucci, who worked with Coogan on Alan Partridge before finding success in the likes of The Thick of It and Veep, and acclaimed comedy director Sean Foley.
Coogan said: ‘The idea of putting Dr Strangelove on stage is daunting. A huge responsibility. It’s also an exciting challenge, an opportunity to bring this timeless classic to a new audience.
‘Knowing that I will be part of a creative team led by Sean Foley and Armando Iannucci means I will be working with the best people. Sean is a master of stage comedy and Armando and I started working with each other over 30 years ago. We made some memorable comedy together so it’s great to be collaborating with him once again.’
The show – originally announced in July – will be the first adaptation of any of Stanley Kubrick’s works to be given official approval by the director’s family. The adaptation will remain a period piece.
Iannucci added: ‘It’s a tale of our time and it needs one of the most amazing talents of our time to tell it: I’ve seen Steve Coogan close-up for many years now, and can tell you that no-one gets right under the skin of a character the way he does.
‘There’s a total focus on how each character would speak and move and even think, added to which is an instinctive comic timing and dramatic charisma that’s second to none.
‘He’s able to get huge audiences to connect with the vulnerabilities and fine details of each character he brings to life. We’re all so delighted he’ll be bringing these amazing gifts to the stage for the hugely contrasting roles in Dr Strangelove and I for one can’t wait to see Steve make them his own. It’s going to be a thrill for all of us.’
Dr Strangelove will run at the Noël Coward Theatre in London on October 8 to December 21 December with opening night on October 29. Tickets on go on sale tomorrow.
It is being produced by Patrick Miles and David Luff, who previously brought the satirical film Network to the West End and Broadway.
Published: 26 Sep 2023