Everything you need to know about ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ in London

Sophie Thomas27 January, 2021, 11:56

All rise for the newest West End play, To Kill a Mockingbird. Following a rape case in southern America as told through the eyes of a child, To Kill a Mockingbird is often considered one of the best books ever. Now, after record-breaking performances on Broadway, the stage adaptation of Harper Lee's novel transfers to London, thereby extending its court session.

Adapted by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bartlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird will go down as one of the greatest stage adaptations of the 21st century. Here's our complete guide to the West End production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Gielgud Theatre. Book To Kill a Mockingbird tickets on London Theatre.

What is To Kill a Mockingbird about?

Although the stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird is written by Aaron Sorkin, the play stays true to the Harper Lee novel. Set in Maycomb, Alabama in 1934, audiences meet Atticus Finch, a lawyer who is tasked with his latest court case. He's tasked with representing and defending Tom Robinson, a black man who faces trial on rape charges.

Rather than telling the story through Finch's point of view, To Kill a Mockingbird is told through Finch's daughter Scout's eyes. A tale of racial injustice and childhood innocence, the American fiction is rooted in Lee's family upbringing, with the character of Atticus Finch based on Lee's father. However, Atticus Finch is commonly deemed to be one of the greatest fictional characters of all time.

When did To Kill a Mockingbird premiere?

Unlike the majority of Broadway shows, To Kill a Mockingbird made its world premiere cold on Broadway. Performances began on 1 Nov. 2018, ahead of an opening night at the Shubert Theatre on 13 Dec. 2018. The final To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway performance took place at the Shubert Theatre on January 16, 2022.

The London transfer of To Kill A Mockingbird was announced a year into the Broadway run. The production was originally scheduled to open at the Gielgud Theatre in spring 2020, but was postponed due to Coronavirus. To Kill a Mockingbird made its London premiere on 31 Mar. 2022, with previews from 10 Mar. 2022.

Who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird?

The original To Kill a Mockingbird novel is written by Harper Lee. Although she has only published two books, her contribution to American literature is undeniable. In 1961, Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for Mockingbird, later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her second and final novel was published in 2015, with Go Set a Watchman considered to be an earlier, rough draft of Mockingbird.

The stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird is written by Aaron Sorkin. He'd previously written the Broadway plays The Farnsworth Invention and A Few Good Men, but is perhaps best known for writing The West Wing and The Social Network.

Who is in the To Kill a Mockingbird West End cast?

The West End cast of To Kill a Mockingbird stars Matthew Modine as Atticus Finch, Cecilia Noble as Calpurnia, Anna Munden as Scout Finch, Sam Mitchell as Jem Finch, Ellis Howard as Dill Harris, and Jason Hughes as Bob Ewell, Harry Attwell, Helen Belbin, Niall Buggy, Cheryl Burniston, Colin R Campbell, Jack Crumlin, Alan Drake, Max Ferguson, Phillipa Flynn, John Hastings, Rebecca Hayes, Simon Hepworth, Niamh James, Julie Legrand, Nigel Lister, Tom Mannion, Tiwai Muza, Itoya Osagiede, Jude Owusu, Oyin Oyjia, David Sturzaker, George Telfer and Natasha Williams, alongside musicians Jack Benjamin, Ciyo Brown, and Candida Caldicot.

What theatre in London is To Kill a Mockingbird playing at?

To Kill a Mockingbird plays at the Gielgud Theatre. Opened as a pair with the Sondheim Theatre, the Gielgud Theatre has been home to star-studded productions, including Les Miserables: The All-Star Staged Concert, The Ferryman and the first gender-swapped production of Company.

What is the running time of To Kill a Mockingbird?

The West End production of To Kill A Mockingbird runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 15 minute interval.

What are some fun facts about To Kill a Mockingbird?

The Broadway production broke box office records, grossing over $1.5 million for one week of performances.
The 1960 film is rooted in Broadway too. The film premiered at Radio City Music Hall.
The role of Atticus Finch on Broadway was played by Jeff Daniels, Ed Harris and Greg Kinnear.

How do I get tickets for To Kill a Mockingbird?

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most popular shows in London. You'll want to book your seat to this thrilling West End courtroom drama. See To Kill a Mockingbird in London today.

Book To Kill a Mockingbird tickets on London Theatre.