Summer and Smoke Tickets

Following a sold-out season at the Almeida Theatre, Rebecca Frecknall’s five-star revival of Summer and Smoke transfers to the West End. Best-known for his celebrated plays including The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke is one of the lesser-known works in his extensive cannon, playing at the Duke of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited season.

Originally receiving its Broadway premiere in 1948, Summer and Smoke did not receive its London premiere until 2006, at the Apollo Theatre. The story centres on the unmarried daughter of a minister, Alma, and her friendship with the young, uninhibited doctor next door, John.

Alma is a reserved young woman with an emotional life that she suppresses, whereas John seeks physical, instant gratification. The connection between them irrevocably changes them both. A searing insight into friendship, relationships and love, Summer and Smoke has earned acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

Patsy Ferran stars as Alma, with credits including the Royal Court’s production of My Mum’s a Twat and Speech and Debate at Trafalgar Studios. Matthew Needham plays John, with credits including roles at the RSC and the National Theatre.

Summer and Smoke is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, whose credits span Soho Theatre, Northern Stage and Royal & Derngate. Further creatives include designer Tom Scutt, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Carolyn Downing and composer Angus MacRae.

A searing production that sees a woman trapped between desire and a life of obligation, the rarely-produced Summer and Smoke transfers to the West End for a limited season. Playing at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre, the show runs from 10 November 2018, with a press night on 20 November 2018.