Mark Ravenhill to direct a contemporary queer reinvention of LA BOHEME at King’s Head Theatre

Co-Artistic Director of The King’s Head Theatre Mark Ravenhill will direct a contemporary queer reinvention of Puccini’s classic opera La Boheme, playing at the world-renowned Islington pub theatre’s stage from 26 April-28 May.

With Puccini’s score and a new English libretto originally conceived by David Eaton and Adam Spreadbury-Maher with additional material by Philip Lee and musical direction from David Eaton, this classic tale of love and loss amongst a community of struggling artists returns to the King’s Head Theatre in a new version, which relocates the story to contemporary London. Full casting will be announced shortly.

Penniless writer Rudolfo struggles to monetise his online writing but a Grindr hookup with a Liberty perfume salesman- known to his friends as Mimi -leads to unexpected blossoming of romantic passion.  Meanwhile Rudolfo's flatmate, Marcello pursues an on/off relationship with sometime model Musetta who is torn between the idealism of loving an artist and the material possibilities offered by a hedge fund manager.  As a year passes from one Christmas to the next, the four friends struggle to reconcile love with artistic aspiration and the need to pay the bills.

Mark Ravenhill said: “Our version of La Bohème is the story of a group of friends who started partying in the 1990s.  As they reach middle age, they are faced with the possibility that now may be the time to sell out and settle down.  But romantic passion, sexual desire and the hedonistic pleasures of partying remain as strong as ever.  It's exciting to honour the overwhelming romantic beauty of Puccini's score with his eye for telling social detail in this new version”.

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.