Olivier Award-Winning Kinks Musical Sunny Afternoon Returns for UK Tour
Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions are thrilled to announce the return of the multi-Olivier Award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon for a 2025/2026 UK tour. The tour will kick off at the Manchester Palace Theatre on 10 October 2025, running until 18 October 2025. Further dates and casting will be announced soon.
Production shot from the original Sunny Afternoon UK tour
Ray Davies Comments on the Return of Sunny Afternoon
Ray Davies, the iconic frontman of The Kinks, expressed his excitement about the return of Sunny Afternoon, saying:
“In these times of political uncertainties, it is a relief to know that Sunny Afternoon is on the horizon to lift our spirits.”
Sonia Friedman on the Success of Sunny Afternoon
Producer Sonia Friedman also shared her enthusiasm about bringing the musical back for its UK tour:
“From the moment Ray Davies, Joe Penhall, Ed Hall, and I began developing this musical, I knew it was something extremely special. Now, I’m thrilled that we’re bringing back our joyous, celebratory, Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical for a new UK tour. Ray Davies’ music and lyrics capture the poetry and poignancy of everyday life with honesty and wit, and The Kinks’ music, attitude and vibe shaped a generation.”
She continued, “Their astonishing legacy continues to resonate, making Sunny Afternoon as exhilarating and relevant today as ever. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or experiencing it all over again, I can’t wait for audiences across the UK to see it — I’ve truly missed it.”
About Sunny Afternoon – A Celebration of The Kinks
Sunny Afternoon celebrates the raw energy, passion, and timeless sound of The Kinks, one of Britain’s most iconic bands. The musical tells the story of the band’s journey, exploring their euphoric highs and agonizing lows through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers, including “You Really Got Me,” “Lola,” and “All Day and All of the Night.”
The production also marks the Olivier Award-winning musical, which won four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies.
Production Details
Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious 1960s, Sunny Afternoon is an exhilarating and moving celebration of The Kinks’ music, life, and the band that changed it all.
The musical had a successful run, following a sell-out at Hampstead Theatre and a critical-acclaim debut at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End. The production went on to have a sensational sell-out UK and Ireland tour in 2016/17.
Creative Team Behind Sunny Afternoon
Music and Lyrics: Ray Davies
Book: Joe Penhall
Original Story: Ray Davies
Director: Edward Hall
Set Design: Miriam Buether
Choreography: Adam Cooper
Lighting Design: Rick Fisher
Sound Design: Matt McKenzie
Musical and Vocal Adaptations: Ray Davies and Elliott Ware (based on original Kinks’ recordings)
Tour Dates and Tickets
Sunny Afternoon will kick off its UK tour at Manchester Palace Theatre on 10 October 2025. Tickets are now on sale for the opening dates, with more tour venues and casting to be announced soon.
