Tracie Bennett, Ian Bartholomew & Emma Williams Set for West End's Mrs. Henderson Presents

Olivier winner and Tony nominee Tracie Bennett will star in the West End transfer of Mrs. Henderson Presents, reprising her performance as Laura Henderson from this summer’s premiere at the Theatre Royal Bath. Joining her are her former co-stars Ian Bartholomew as Vivian Van Damm and Emma Williams as Maureen. Performances will begin on February 9, 2016 at the Noel Coward Theatre, where it will open officially on February 16.

Bennett received Olivier Awards for her performances in She Loves Me and Hairspray. She also received a Tony nomination for her portrayal as Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow. Bartholomew earned Olivier nods for Into the Woods and Radio Times. His additional West End credits include Shakespeare in Love and Tommy. Williams’ previous credits include Olivier-nominated turns in Zorro and Love Story, as well as the original cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Based on the 2005 film of the same name, the musical tells the story of a recent widow in London during the years preceding World War I. As a hobby, she purchases the Windmill Theatre, a rundown cinema. Her theatre soon offers an escape from the fear of an imminent war: The Windmill Girls, who pose as nude statues in her revue, which boasts the slogan “We Never Close.”

The musical has a book and is directed by Terry Johnson, with lyrics by Tony winner Don Black and music by George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain, who both collaborated on the original film. It is choreographed by Andrew Wright, has set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Paul Wills and lighting design by Ben Ormerod. Wig, hair and make-up design is by Richard Mawbey, orchestrations are by Larry Blank with musical supervision by Mike Dixon.

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.