David Bamber to Star in U.K. Premiere of Sweet Smell of Success

David Bamber, Adrian der Gregorian and Caroline Keiff will lead the U.K. premiere of Sweet Smell of Success at London’s Arcola Theatre. Directed by Mehmet Ergen, Sweet Smell of Success features music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Craig Carnelia and a book by John Guare. Based on the 1957 film of the same name, Sweet Smell of Success will begin performances November 9, with an official opening night on November 14. The production will play a limited engagement through December 22.

In addition to Bamber as JJ Hunsecker, Gregorian as Falcone and Keiff as Susan, Sweet Smell of Success will star Stuart Matthew Price as Dallas and Celia Graham as Rita. The production will also feature Claire Doyle, Russell Morton, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Brenan Davies, Zoe Doano, Claudia Kariuki, Morgan Deare and Michael Chadwick.

Set in 1952 in New York City, Sweet Smell of Success is the story of JJ Hunsecker (Bamber), an influential gossip columnist for the New York Globe. When JJ’s sister Susan (Keiff) begins a relationship that he finds inappropriate, JJ decides he must use his connections to ruin it. Sweet Smell of Success premiered March 14, 2002 at Broadway’s Martin Beck Theatre, starring John Lithgow as JJ, Brian d’Arcy James as Sidney and Kelli O’Hara as Susan. For his performance, Lithgow earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

Bamber earned an Olivier Award for My Night With Reg. His additional West End credits include Betty Blue Eyes, Absurd Person Singular, The Glee Club and Otherwise Engaged. His film and TV credits include Valkyrie and Psychoville. Gregorian has appeared in The Woman in White and La Cage Aux Folles in the West End. Keiff’s West End credits include Wicked and Legally Blonde. Price appeared in Parade at the Donmar Warehouse and Shrek in the West End. Graham’s West End credits include The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies.