Matinee favourites to star in The Code

The Code: Tracie Bennett and John Partridge Lead New Hollywood Drama at Southwark Playhouse

18-07-25

A fading star, a rising heartthrob, and a sharp-tongued legend collide in The Code, a new play set in the golden age of Hollywood and heading to Southwark Playhouse Elephant this autumn. Running from 12 September to 11 October 2025, with an official opening night on 17 September, The Code is a bold and stylish drama that lifts the curtain on the unwritten rules that governed—and still govern—identity, fame, and survival in the entertainment industry.

At its heart are two towering performances. Two-time Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett takes on the role of Tallulah Bankhead, the magnetic icon who strides into the story with a drink in hand and a lifetime of secrets. Opposite her is John Partridge as Billy Haines, a one-time matinee idol whose transition into interior design has not dulled his charm—or his connection to the town that made and broke him.

The cast also includes Solomon Davy as the slick and unnervingly polished Chad Manford, and Nick Blakeley as the shrewd and calculating agent Henry Willson. Together, this ensemble explores a world of power dynamics, hidden desires, and curated personas in a narrative that moves with the elegance of old Hollywood and the urgency of today’s headlines.

Directed by Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominee Christopher Renshaw (The King and I, We Will Rock You), and written by Michael McKeever (Daniel’s Husband), The Code comes with an impeccable pedigree. With stylish production design by Ethan Cheek and atmospheric lighting by Jack Weir, the show promises an unforgettable night of high drama and razor-sharp wit.

It’s 1950 in Los Angeles, but the echoes are unmistakably modern. The Code is a timely and compelling look at the performance of identity in an industry where image has always been everything.

Tickets and full details at southwarkplayhouse.co.uk