Leicester’s Curve theatre is to co-produce a new production of Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾—The Musical with London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, which will open in Mole’s 50th birthday year.
Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary’s musical about Leicester’s favourite teen has undergone a period of development since its original production at Curve in 2015.
Set in 1980s Leicester, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ follows the daily dramas and misadventures of adolescent Adrian. With dysfunctional parents, ungrateful elders, a growing debt to school bully Barry Kent and an unruly pimple on his chin, he finds that life is hard for a misunderstood intellectual.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said in a joint statement, “everyone at Curve is thrilled that Leicester’s favourite teenager will be brought to life on stage again in this exciting new production.
“This home-grown Leicester production will always have a special place in our hearts and we’re sure Sue Townsend would be delighted that Adrian is having a new adventure in the big city.”
Luke Sheppard directs The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾—The Musical which runs at the Menier from Friday 14 July until Saturday 9 September. The press performance will be on Wednesday 26 July.