What’s New Pussycat? Sir Tom Jones musical to open at Birmingham Rep in October

A new musical based on the songs of Sir Tom Jones will premiere at Birmingham Rep in autumn 2021.

What’s New Pussycat? will be based on 18th century novel, A History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, written by Henry Fielding.

Having originally intended to open at Leeds Playhouse, it will now begin performances at Birmingham Rep on 8 October running to 14 November.

Joe DiPietro will adapt the book for the new musical production with the show set in the swinging 60s.

The production will include the songs such as; Green, Green Grass of Home, It’s Not Unusual, Leave Your Hat On, Delilah, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Sex Bomb and, What’s New Pussycat?

Luke Sheppard has been confirmed to direct with choreography from Arlene Phillips, set design by Jon Bausor, costume design by Gabriella Slade, musical supervision and orchestrations by Matthew Brind, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Gareth Owen and casting by Stuart Burt CDG.

Casting is to be confirmed.

Director Luke Sheppard said: “Sometimes you work on a show and you know it could be really special, and our first staged reading of this piece left me flying high.

“It’s down to the amazing synergy between a fiercely witty script that takes this classic novel and casts it in a fresh and vibrant new light in the swinging 60s, and an incredible catalogue of music that has such range it can break your heart one moment and have you on the dance floor the next. ”

The show will form part of Birmingham Rep’s 50th anniversary season which will also include a revival of Ayub Khan-Din’s play East is East and a new stage adaptation of Floella Benjamin book Coming to England.

You can get tickets and more information online here.