The show, described as part dance piece, part gig, is directed and choreographed by Aletta Collins and conceived by Horrocks and Collins. It will begin performances March 10, 2016, prior to an official opening March 16 for a run in the Young Vic's Main House through April 16.
In a press statement, David Lan, artistic director of the Young Vic, commented, "The great Jane Horrocks is one of our closest friends and colleagues. In If You Kiss Me, Kiss Me Jane and Aletta Collins create a new kind of show. Part dance piece, part gig – a live band, brilliant dancers and Jane's unique take on many of your favourite new wave anthems. We're thrilled to have Jane back following our hit Annie Get Your Gun and to welcome Aletta for the first time."
The show conjures the hopes, disillusionment and messy relationships that were the hallmarks of the 1970s and 80s music scene in the U.K. Grammy and Emmy-winning Kipper is the music producer and arranger of the show, and it is designed by Bunny Christie (Tony-winning designer of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time). Collins, who is a former associate artist at the Royal Opera House, where she worked extensively in the Linbury Studio Theatre, has previously directed for Opera North and is currently represented in the West End by her choreography for Bend It Like Beckham.
Also announced for the main house in the new season are a revival of Joe Penhall's Olivier Award-winning play Blue/Orange, first seen at the National Theatre in 2000, that will begin performances May 12, prior to an official opening May 19 for a run through June 18, to be directed by Matthew Xia; and Lorca's Yerma, to be directed by leading Australian director Simon Stone, that will begin performances July 29 prior to an official opening Aug. 4, for a run through Sept. 10. Stone's production of Ibsen's The Wild Duck previously transferred from Australia to London's Barbican; he now creates his first new work in the U.K.
Further productions in the theatre's Maria studio include Charlene James' Cuttin' It, Annie Ryan's A Girl is a Half-formed Thing and a return season of Mike Bartlett's Bull. To book tickets for the 2016 season, for which public booking opens Oct. 7, contact the box office on 0207 922 2922 or visit www.youngvic.org.
