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World Premiere of Midnight Cowboy – A New Musical Set for Southwark Playhouse Elephant

ADAMA Entertainment is thrilled to announce the world premiere of Midnight Cowboy – A New Musical, opening at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 4 April 2025 and running until 17 May 2025.

This powerful new adaptation, based on the novel by James Leo Herlihy and the iconic, triple Academy Award-winning 1969 film, reimagines the classic story with a fresh perspective. It features a book by Bryony Lavery, the Tony-nominated playwright of Frozen, and a captivating score by Francis “Eg” White, a three-time Ivor Novello Award-winning composer known for his work with Adele, Sam Smith, Florence + The Machine, and James Morrison.

About the Story

Set against the gritty backdrop of 1960s New York City, Midnight Cowboy is a deeply moving exploration of friendship, ambition, and survival. Joe Buck is a young man fleeing his dead-end past, determined to find wealth and glory in the big city. There, he encounters Rico “Ratso” Rizzo, a man as lost and desperate as he is. The two forge an unlikely bond, navigating the harsh realities of the city in their quest for a better life. But in New York’s unforgiving urban jungle, survival often comes at a price.

Creative Team

This ambitious production is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston (Burlesque the Musical, Bonnie & Clyde), with musical arrangements, orchestrations, and supervision by Charlie Ingles (Grease The Musical, The Rocky Horror Show).

The creative team also includes:

  • Set & Lighting Design: Andrew Exeter (LIZZIE, The Full Monty)

  • Costume Design: Sophia Pardon (The Wizard of Oz, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying)

  • Sound Design: Yvonne Gilbert (The Baker’s Wife, Handmaid’s Tale)

  • Musical Direction: Ellie Verkerk (The School for Scandal, Starter for Ten)

  • Intimacy Direction: Lucy Fennell (Visit from an Unknown Woman, Bare)

  • Dialect Coaching: Mary Howland (The Odyssey, Fawlty Towers)

Additional contributions come from a talented team of associate designers, choreographers, and production professionals, ensuring every detail of this immersive production is expertly crafted.

A Timeless Tale Brought to Life

This new musical breathes fresh energy into a timeless story, blending poignant storytelling with a vibrant soundtrack to capture the tension and hope of pursuing dreams in the face of adversity.

Casting will be announced soon.

Tickets and Details

Midnight Cowboy – A New Musical will run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 4 April to 17 May 2025.

MIDNIGHT COWBOY is produced by ADAMA Entertainment

 

Website: midnightcowboymusical.com

Instagram: @midnightcowboymusical

Facebook: @midnightcowboymusical

TikTok: @midnightcowboymus

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

MIDNIGHT COWBOY – A NEW MUSICAL

 

4 April – 17 May 2025

 

Southwark Playhouse Elephant

1 Dante Place,

London,

SE11 4RX

 

How to get to Elephant Venue: the nearest stations are Elephant & Castle and Kennington.

 

Performances:

 

Performances Mon - Sat 7pm*, Matinees Thurs & Sat 2.30pm**

*Please note there will be no performance on 7 April. 

**There will be no matinees on 5 or 10 April.

 

There will be a captioned performance on 30 April 2025 and a signed performance is to be announced.

 

Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)

Age guidance: 12+

 

Box Office

020 7407 0234 / southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Box Office opens Mon – Sat, 10am – 6pm.

southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/midnight-cowboy

 

Tickets

Previews 4 – 9 April | Pioneer Previews £12 (4 April only), Standard Previews £18

Standard tickets from £20 | Concessions tickets £22.50

 

Concessions apply to full time students, patrons over 65, patrons under 16, disabled patrons, and patrons claiming Universal Credit.

 

Disabled patrons may bring a companion/carer free of charge.

Southwark Playhouse has a group booking rate that offers ten tickets for the price of nine.

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