Sideways play hits West End stage

A stage adaptation of the critically acclaimed wine-themed novel Sideways is set to come to London’s West End in May.

The film adaptation of Sideways, starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2004

Producers announced a new production of the Rex Pickett novel – which was turned into an Oscar-winning 2004 film adaptation starring Paul Giamatti – would receive its UK and European premiere at the St James Theatre, playing a limited run from 26 May to 9 July, with a press night on 31 May.

The play will be directed by David Grindley, whose previous production credits include Daytona and Journey’s End), and produced by Matt Chisling and Amy Anzel for Pinot Productions Limited.

The full cast and creative team for the production is yet to be announced.

Sideways tells the story of two men in their 40s who take a week-long road trip into the heart of California wine country. A stage adaptation enjoyed a successful run in the US in 2013.

Talking of the UK version of the story, Pickett said: “From the moment my play Sideways was successfully staged in the US it’s been my express dream to bring it to London.

“That is not hyperbole. I’ve been a lifelong, die-hard fan of UK films, literature, thespians and, of course, London’s rich history of theatre and her undying love of language and for the spoken word.

“The Brit influence on my work is incalculable, my debt enormous. Bringing Sideways to London is that dream realised in Technicolor, that debt remunerated in the only way I’m capable of expressing my immeasurable gratitude.”