Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, and Sean Foley are set to bring Stanley Kubrick’s iconic 1964 war satire, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, to the West End stage. This groundbreaking adaptation, the first-ever of a Kubrick work, will feature Coogan in multiple roles and will run at London’s esteemed Noel Coward Theatre from October 8, 2024, to December 21, 2024. With Iannucci, the creator of Veep and Coogan’s esteemed collaborator on Alan Partridge, at the helm, and Foley directing, Dr. Strangelove promises to be an exceptional theatrical experience like no other.
Dr. Strangelove, originally an Oscar-nominated film, tells the gripping story of a rogue U.S. General who ignites a nuclear crisis. The film starred legendary actors Peter Sellers, George C Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Slim Pickens, among others. Selling the film with his remarkable versatility, Peter Sellers portrayed multiple characters and earned an Oscar nomination for his exceptional performance. Now, with Coogan taking on the challenging task of bringing Dr. Strangelove to the stage, audiences can expect a fresh interpretation of this timeless classic.
Steve Coogan, no stranger to the world of comedy and acting, acknowledges the enormous responsibility of adapting Dr. Strangelove for the stage. In his own words, Coogan expressed, “The idea of putting Dr. Strangelove on stage is daunting. A huge responsibility. It’s also an exciting challenge, an opportunity to bring this timeless classic to a new audience… I will be working with the best people. Sean is a master of stage comedy, and Armando and I started working with each other over 30 years ago. We made some memorable comedy together, so it’s great to be collaborating with him once again.”
Armando Iannucci, known for his brilliant satirical comedy, is thrilled to have Steve Coogan as the lead in the stage adaptation of Dr. Strangelove. Iannucci believes that Coogan possesses unparalleled talent and the ability to breathe life into any character. Iannucci stated, “It’s a tale of our time, and it needs one of the most amazing talents of our time to tell it: I’ve seen Steve Coogan close-up for many years now and can tell you that no one gets right under the skin of a character the way he does. There’s a total focus on how each character would speak and move and even think, added to which is an instinctive comic timing and dramatic charisma that’s second to none. He’s able to get huge audiences to connect with the vulnerabilities and fine details of each character he brings to life. We’re all so delighted he’ll be bringing these amazing gifts to the stage for the hugely contrasting roles in Dr. Strangelove, and I, for one, can’t wait to see Steve make them his own. It’s going to be a thrill for all of us.”
Sean Foley, the esteemed director of the stage adaptation, believes that Steve Coogan is the perfect fit for the lead role in Dr. Strangelove. Recognizing Coogan’s ability to seamlessly blend laughter with discomfort and intensity, Foley expressed his excitement about the collaboration. Foley said, “I’m thrilled and excited to finally be able to say that one of our very finest actor-comedians, the amazingly talented Steve Coogan, is to play the lead in our world premiere stage version of Dr. Strangelove… Steve has excelled at being able to make people belly laugh even while they wince – sensing the maladroit, the madness, and the menace in his extraordinary characters… I can think of no better actor to convey the ‘nightmare comedy’ of Strangelove.”
Dr. Strangelove is being produced by Patrick Myles and David Luff, in association with Tulchin Bartner Productions and Playful Productions. With Jonathan Cameron serving as the executive producer for the Stanley Kubrick Estate, this eagerly anticipated stage adaptation of the cult classic is expected to captivate audiences with its witty humor, gripping storyline, and impeccable performances. Come October 2024, theatergoers in London will be treated to an unforgettable experience as Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, and Sean Foley join forces to bring the satirical genius of Stanley Kubrick to life once again, leaving audiences both smiling and exhilarated.