It has been confirmed that Gore Vidal’s political drama will play at the Playhouse Theatre from the 24th February. 

Bill Kenwright will present the West End premiere of The Best Man, opening for previews at the Playhouse Theatre from the 24th February, officially opening on the 5th March.

Two opposing presidential party candidates are neck and neck in an unscrupulous battle for the nomination. The only thing that separates the ex-Secretary of State and his populist opponent is an endorsement from a respected ex-President. But where does compromise end and corruption begin? And who in the end will be proved to be ‘the best man’?

The West End debut of Gore Vidal’s play is set to star Martin Shaw who is best known to television audiences for the title-roles in Judge John Deed, Inspector George Gently and The Professionals, Shaw’s  West End stage roles have included Twelve Angry Men, A Man For All Seasons and The Country Girl directed by Rufus Norris.

He will be joined on stage by Jack Shepherd, Maureen Lipman, Honeysuckle Weeks, Glynis Barber and  Jeff Fahey. Further casting to be announced.

The production is directed by Simon Evans whose previous credits includes The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Silence of the Seas (Donmar Warehouse), The Dazzle, Bug, Fool for Love(Found111), Almost Maine (Park Theatre), Hannah (Unicorn) and Speed Twins (Riverside Studio).

The Best Man is produced by Bill Kenwright with set and costume design by Michael Taylor, lighting design by Chris Davey and composition and sound design by Ed Lewis.

The Best Man will play at the Playhouse Theatre from the 24th February until the 12th May. To book tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, See Tickets.com, Love Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk and ATG Tickets.