What is the opening date for the show?

Pacific Overtures musical opened on 25th November 2023 at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Where is the show playing in London?

Pacific Overtures is playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London and opened on 25th November 2023.

How long does Pacific Overtures run for?

The running time of Pacific Overtures is 1 hour 45 minutes with no interval.

Pacific Overtures

Musicals

Drama

Menier Chocolate Factory

Paper boats with international flags under a red sun, promoting "Pacific Overtures" musical.

Duration

1 hr 45 mins

Closing Date

Until February 25, 2024

Why Watch Pacific Overtures?

Get ready for a thrilling tale of clashing cultures between the East and the West with Pacific Overtures. This London play is based on real events.
Directed by Matthew White of Olivier-nominated Little Shop of Horrors, the Pacific Overtures musical is the last of the Stephen Sondheim musical trilogy at Menier.
Co-produced with the Umeda Arts Theatre in Japan, the musical features a Western perspective in an Eastern style and has won accolades in Tokyo and Osaka.
Catch Pacific Overtures in London today and listen to some of the most soulful creations by Sondheim like Someone in a Tree and Pretty Lady.
The musical tells the tale of the United States' 1853 expedition to Nippon, the Floating Kingdom, in order to establish Western ties with Japan.

Pacific Overtures is the 9th musical by acclaimed American composer Stephen Sondheim, and the play revolves around the arrival of the United States in Japan in 1853. Pacific Overtures musical features Sondheim's magical numbers like Someone in a Tree, Pretty Lady, and A Bowler Hat. While the creation has been done in an Eastern style, with the help of the Umeda Arts Theatre, the perspective is quite Western. The story stars theatre stalwarts like Kanako Nakano from My Neighbour Totoro, Saori Oda from The King and I, and Takuro Ohno from The Phantom of the Opera.

Storyline

In 1853, the United States decided to send an expedition to the untouched, floating nation of Nippon or Japan. Before this voyage, the Japanese had lived in peaceful isolation for centuries. What happens when new concepts and ideas start infiltrating the traditional and serene nation? Watch Pacific Overtures in London to find out!

Show timings

Tues, Wed, Thu & Fri: 7:30pm
Sat: 3:00pm & 7:30pm
Sun: 3:00pm
Show timings for Pacific Overtures may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.

Cast & Crew

Leading Roles

Kanako Nakano as Tamate

Saori Oda as Shogun/Madam

Takuro Ohno as Kayama

Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Manjiro

Direction

Matthew White

Menier Chocolate Factory

One of London's cherished fringe venues, Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre occupies a former nineteenth-century chocolate factory in Southwark. Since opening as a theatre and restaurant in 2004, it has earned a reputation for intimate, innovative productions. Its exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and unobstructed views create a warm, characterful setting where audiences feel close to the action. The venue has staged acclaimed productions including Little Shop of Horrors, Sunday in the Park with George, and The Color Purple, some of which later transferred to Broadway and the West End.

Getting There

Address: 53 Southwark St, London SE1 1RU, UK
By metro:
The closest tube station is London Bridge Underground Station, serviced by the Jubilee and Northern lines.
By train:
The closest station is the London Bridge station, a five-minute walk away from the theater.
By bus:
Lines servicing the area include 17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 343, 381, and 521.

Facilities & Accessibility

Amenities: Toilets, Dining outlets, Cloak room, Souvenir shop, First aid

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed

Additional Information

Security: Please be aware that for your comfort and security, all audience members will be subject to security checks upon arrival at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Dress Code: Smart and casual wear is recommended. Keep in mind, that the theatre is air-conditioned throughout the year and can get a bit chilly.

Outside Food: Most theatres do not allow outside food inside the theatres but most of them also have a café or restaurant inside the premises or nearby.