NEWS TICKER
Sunny Afternoon to Return for Major 2025–2026 UK Tour
Published on
March 25, 2025
By
Julia Jordan
The Kinks Musical Set to Hit the Road Once Again
Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions have announced that the Olivier Award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon will return for a UK tour in 2025–2026, kicking off at Manchester Palace Theatre on 10 October 2025. The production, which tells the electrifying story of The Kinks, will visit cities across the UK, with further dates and casting to be announced.
A West End and Touring Hit Returns
Originally premiering at Hampstead Theatre before transferring to the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre, Sunny Afternoon played to packed houses and later toured the UK to acclaim. It won four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for The Kinks’ frontman Ray Davies.
Set against the backdrop of Britain’s cultural revolution in the 1960s, the musical explores the rise of The Kinks — from working-class beginnings to international superstardom — through their iconic catalogue of songs.
Ray Davies’ Timeless Music Takes Centre Stage
Sunny Afternoon features a hit-filled score including:
“You Really Got Me”
“Lola”
“Waterloo Sunset”
“All Day and All of the Night”
“Sunny Afternoon”
Speaking about the return, Ray Davies said:
“In these times of political uncertainties, it is a relief to know that Sunny Afternoon is on the horizon to lift our spirits.”
Producer Sonia Friedman added:
“Ray Davies’ music and lyrics capture the poetry and poignancy of everyday life with honesty and wit. 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.”
Creative Team and Production Credits
The musical features:
Music and Lyrics: Ray Davies
Book: Joe Penhall
Director: Edward Hall
Design: Miriam Buether
Choreography: Adam Cooper
Lighting Design: Rick Fisher
Sound Design: Matt McKenzie
Musical and Vocal Adaptations: Ray Davies & Elliott Ware
Initial Tour Dates and Venues
Highlights of the Sunny Afternoon 2025–26 tour include:
Manchester Palace Theatre – 10–18 October 2025
Birmingham Alexandra – 21–25 October 2025
Glasgow King’s Theatre – 28 Oct–1 Nov 2025
York Grand Opera House – 11–15 November 2025
Wimbledon New Theatre – 25–29 November 2025
Swansea Arena – 2–6 December 2025
London, Alexandra Palace – 15–31 January 2026
Edinburgh Playhouse – 5–9 May 2026
Liverpool Empire – 10–23 May 2026
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff – 26–30 May 2026
And many more across England, Scotland, and Wales. Tickets for most venues go on sale from 28 March 2025, with select venues following in early April.
Book Now for a Trip Back to the Swinging Sixties
With its dynamic staging, sharp storytelling, and unforgettable music, Sunny Afternoon remains one of the most vibrant jukebox musicals of the last decade. This return tour promises to reignite the spirit of rebellion, rock, and British culture.
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