Vicky Featherstone to direct This is My Family London premiere at Southwark

Tim Firth’s musical This is My Family is to open at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant this year and will be directed by Vicky Featherstone. 

It marks the family holiday show’s first outing in the capital having premiered at Sheffield Theatres in 2013 and enjoyed a revival in Chichester in 2019. 

Firth’s book and music and Royal Shakespeare Company co-artistic director Daniel Evans’ direction earned the UK Theatre award for best musical in 2013. 

Now, it is being brought to Southwark Playhouse’s 310-seat venue in Elephant and Castle by Featherstone, former artistic director of the Royal Court. 

Featherstone’s new production of the musical, presented by Anthology Theatre, will run from May 28 to July 12 this year, with press night on May 28. 

Commenting on the announcement, Firth said: "Having a London premiere in a place like this directed by Vicky feels like a competition win for me. 

"The Elephant is a theatre designed for adventure and intimacy - perfect for a musical intended to show that you don’t have to travel abroad to go on safari, that wild animals are closer than we might think and that the best holidays are the ones on which we’ve laughed the most."

Anthology Theatre’s Lil Lambley added: "Anthology Theatre is absolutely delighted to bring this first-class musical and Olivier award-winning team to the intimate setting of Southwark Playhouse Elephant.

"At a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain, there’s no better moment to share a heartfelt and uplifting story that celebrates love, forgiveness, and, above all, the joy of shared laughter with your family.”

Cast and creative team for the production will be announced shortly.