John Doyle to Direct UK Production of Merrily We Roll Along

Tony Award winner John Doyle will return to UK’s Watermill Theatre to direct Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s 1981 musical Merrily We Roll Along, January 16-March 8. The production will feature design by Catherine Jayes and orchestrations by Liz Ascroft. No casting has been announced.

Inspired by a 1934 play by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart, Merrily tells the story of a celebrated songwriter and film producer, Franklin Shepard. Presented in reverse chronological order, the musical follows Shepard’s descent from idealistic youth into wayward and greedy middle age, while also chronicling the dissolution of his showbiz friendships. The score includes “Not a Day Goes By”, “Our Time” and “Old Friends”.

Doyle received the Tony Award for Sweeney Todd, which originated at the Watermill, and a Tony nomination for Company. His previous work at the Watermill includes Fiddler on the Roof, Gondoliers and Mack and Mabel. He is currently directing A Catered Affair at San Diego’s Old Globe Theater, which will open on Broadway in April.

For more information, visit www.whatsonstage.com.