Irish American star sails into London for revival of musical classic Anything Goes
Entertainment

Irish American star sails into London for revival of musical classic Anything Goes

STAR of screen and stage Megan Mullally is making her way to London this year.

The Los Angeles-born actor, best known for playing sarcastic socialite Karen Walker in the hit sitcom Will and Grace, is also an accomplished comedian and theatre actor – treading the boards both on and off Broadway.

And this year will see the Emmy Award-winner - who has family roots in Ireland and in England - make her debut in London’s West End.

Megan Mullally is due to make her West End debut this year

The 62-year-old will star as nightclub singer Reno Sweeney in a 15-week revival of the classic musical Anything Goes, which opens at the Barbican in May.

Starring alongside her is British television favourite and Olivier Award-winner Robert Lindsay, as Moonface Martin.

The pair will be guided by three-time Tony Award Winner Kathleen Marshall, who is director and choreographer for the limited run production.

Mullally, who lives in Hollywood with her husband, fellow actor Nick Offerman, is excited to be a part of the revival of the classic by Cole Porter and P.G. Wodehouse.

Set on an ocean liner sailing from the US to England, Marshall’s production will feature a full supporting cast, including 14 tap dancing sailors.

“Anything really does go, is the thing, and I’m excited to be coming to London where Robert Lindsay and I will promptly unleash ourselves upon that wonderful town for 15 weeks of farce and frolic,” Mullally said.

“Under the tutelage of the devilishly clever Kathleen Marshall we shall endeavour to do the memory of Cole Porter proud.

Robert Lindsay will also star in Anything Goes

“Meanwhile, I will endeavour to get my a** to a tap class,” she added.

“A brand-new rendering of a great old entertainment is on the horizon...something tells me I’ll get a kick out of spending my summer in London. Tally-ho.”

Co-star Lindsay is equally excited to be getting back to work, after a year which saw London’s theatre district largely closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “I am so looking forward to returning to the stage in the medium I love - musical comedy.

“And what better than Kathleen Marshall’s revival of Anything Goes at the wonderful Barbican Theatre. The perfect remedy to shake off the blues of 2020.”

Work on the production is already underway, with the revival due to dock in the capital from May to August.

“I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to reimagine Anything Goes for the West End,” Marshall admits.

“I'm a huge fan of both Megan and Robert and I know we will have a blast working together on this iconic musical comedy.

“I adore London and can't wait to bring this joyous show to UK audiences.”