It has been announced that The Noel Coward Theatre will reopen in December with the premiere of brand-new comedy The Comeback, written and starring award-winning comedy duo The Pin (Ben Ashenden and Alex Owen).

The Comeback, produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and directed by Emily Burns, tells the story of two rival comedy duos having a backstage tussle, with a special guest star joining the production every night. The show is due to open on 8 December 2020 running through to 3 January 2021.

All seating in the venue will be adjusted to ensure social distancing, with rows in the stalls being removed to allow a 1 metre gap between all bubbles. All measures have been signed off by authorities, industry bodies and in keeping with the major ‘See It Safely’ campaign.

Ashenden and Owen said: “We’ve done one-off gigs in venues of a similar sizes (like the Old Vic’s birthday celebrations) but we’ve never done a month-long run in the West End. That’s what’s keeping us up at night: not fearing doing it but more the excitement. We just hope the microphone system is working…”

Producer Sonia Friedman added: “I am absolutely thrilled to be announcing The Comeback as SFP’s return to the West End. I was excited about The Pin’s debut play long before lockdown, but after the year we’ve had, it feels like the perfect tonic. More than ever, we need the laughter and emotional connection of communal experience – and frankly, nothing provides that like live theatre.

“The Comeback delivers all that and much more. Make no mistake, though: theatre is not back in business. Having shuttered 18 productions worldwide seven months ago, all of which remain suspended, I cannot fully – let alone profitably. - re-open my shows. As well as government go-ahead (even just a date), we’re still waiting for an insurance scheme to protect our profession in the months ahead.

“Producing shows this Christmas is a tightrope act, but The Comeback will go ahead – following approved Performing Arts working guidelines – and so long as government restrictions allow. This genius comedy shows just how precious live performance is and, as British Theatre begins to build itself back up, becoming a frontline of the national recovery, The Comeback couldn’t be more timely. Theatre isn’t just for Christmas. This is just the start.”

Tickets for The Comeback go on sale today here. There will be over 1000 tickets available at £25 or less each week.