American Psycho, the Almeida Theatre

Director Rupert Goold is taking his final show with acclaimed touring company Headlong to the Almeida, where he is the incoming artistic director. And he looks set to ring in the change loudly with this musical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ iconic novel.

American Psycho , the dark and disturbing story of high-flying Manhattan investment banker Patrick Bateman and his secret life of bloodlust and depravity, was deeply controversial when first published in 1991. Its graphic violence and sexual content drew damning criticism, but it has gone on to become something of a modern classic, spawning a 2000 film adaptation starring Christian Bale.

This might sound like an unlikely candidate for a musical makeover, but don’t underestimate the score and lyrics of Duncan Sheik. The composer’s best-known work is Spring Awakening , a multi-award-winning musical version of German playwright Frank Wedekind’s controversial 19th-century play about teenage sexuality, pregnancy, depression and suicide. If this is anything to go by, there won’t be much in the way of toe-tapping or jazz hands, but we are looking forward to an intelligent musical take on a dark modern fable of greed, soullessness and consumerism.

Alongside Sheik, Goold has assembled a talented team of creatives to bring Easton Ellis’ novel to life, including Es Devlin, the designer behind the striking revolving cube in Headlong’s sell-out Almeida production of Chimerica . We’re hoping this bold production will give us a taste of what is to come at the Almeida under Goold’s artistic leadership. 

Tickets: £10- £34 (Off-peak). £10-£45 (Peak). Previews at   £8- £26 

Address & Map:  Almeida St, N1 1TA  

Nearest Tube/ Stations: Hibury & Islington, Essex Road