Grey Gardens, Southwark Playhouse

With three Tonys, a Drama Desk award and rapturous reviews, Grey Gardens the musical was a huge hit when it premiered Broadway in 2006. Finally, 10 years later, the show will receive its European premiere at Off-West-End Theatre Southwark Playhouse.

Based on the famous 1975 documentary of the same title, Grey Gardens tells the fascinating true story of Jackie Kennedy's notorious aunt and cousin. Set in a sumptous East Hampton mansion the musical charts the rise and fall of aristocrat mother and daughter "Big Edie" and "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale, from the darlings of High Society to reclusive solitude and squalor. Their once grand house became so overrun by cats it was officially deemed unfit for human habitation.

The real life story bursts with drama, as revealed in first a hit documentary and then a HBO film in 2009. The musical blends the facts about these two women with a more speculative exploration of their lives before they went into decline. The result is an engaging and compassionate story, lent yet more heart with stellar songs by lyricist Michael Korie and musician Scott Frankel.

Multiple Olivier-winning verterans of the West End Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell will play the mother and daughter. Such high profile leads bring yet more star-power to this hotly-anticipated musical premiere.

With Off-West-End ticket prices, this Southwark Playhouse production will sell quickly. Book fast; a Grey Gardens West End transfer is likely.