A new production of Michael McKeever's The Code is headed to London's Southwark Playhouse Elephant, with performances slated to run September 12-October 11. Opening night will be September 17, with Christopher Renshaw (We Will Rock You) at the helm.

The work centers on a pre-dinner cocktails evening hosted by Billy Haines, a one-time actor whose screen career was ended when he refused to deny his homosexuality in the 1930s. He's joined by stage and screen legend Tallulah Bankhead, herself gay if not expressly public about it; and agent Henry Willson, who brings his newest client, Chad Manford. Suddenly a debate is ignited about what it means to be a man in mid-century Hollywood. Willson is best remembered for helping to create the beefcake craze of the 1950s, representing such names as Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter, both of whom later revealed themselves to be gay.

Starring will be Tracie Bennett (Here We Are) as Bankhead, with John Partridge (Eastenders) as Haines, Solomon Davy (Hairspray) as Manford, and Blakeley (Underdog) as Henry Willson. Casting is by Nicholas Hockaday. Bennett previously participated in New York industry readings of the work in 2023, when she was stateside doing  the final Sondheim musical Here We Are at Off-Broadway's Shed.

"It's fascinating to me how relevant the issues in the play have become in these strange times in which we live," says McKeever in a statement.

Southwark's production will feature set and costume design by Ethan Cheek and lighting design by Jack Weir. Further creative team members are to be announced.

The project is being produced by Jim Kierstead, Merrie L. Davis, Jim Head, Elisabeth Rock, Jim Karp/James Manuel Meneses, Vasi Laurence/Adina Schecter, and Ted Snowdon.

Tickets are at SouthwarkPlayhouse.co.uk.