Iconic Romance Now a West End Musical
David Nicholls' 'One Day' Musical Adaptation Premieres in London's West End Garrick Theatre
Key Points
Tickets for the West End run go on general sale on **Thursday, 18 June 2026 at 10am** (not just “June 2026”).
Producers **Melting Pot** said of the adaptation: **“From the moment we encountered [the story], we recognised its extraordinary emotional power.”**
Beyond the director/choreographer/set & costume, the production lists a fuller creative team: **Nigel Lilley** (musical supervisor, musical director and co-arranger), **Bruno Poet** (lighting designer), **Simon Baker** (sound designer), **Simon Hale** (orchestrator and co-arranger), and **Stuart Burt CDG** (casting director).
The announcements also include prior credits used to frame the creative leadership: adapter **David Greig** is credited with **Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Touching The Void and The Lorax**, while director **Max Webster** is noted for **Macbeth with David Tennant and Cush Jumbo** and **The Importance of Being Ernest with Ncuti Gatwa**.
One Day – The Musical will open at London's Garrick Theatre on 17 November 2026, bringing David Nicholls's beloved novel to the West End for the first time. Tickets go on general sale on 18 June 2026 at 10am, Theatre Weekly confirmed. The story follows Dex and Em from their 1988 graduation night, revisiting the same date — 15 July — each year across two decades.
The production transfers directly from a world premiere run at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, where it drew strong critical praise. Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose reprise their lead roles as Dex and Em. The novel has sold more than five million copies worldwide and was previously adapted for film in 2011 and for a Netflix series in 2024, Timeout noted.
Edinburgh Run Built Buzz Before London Transfer
The show had its world premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in early 2026. The Lyceum has a track record of launching shows that later move to London. Director Max Webster's approach — handling a story that spans 20 years through sharp, time-jump staging — won early praise, Theatre and Tonic reported. Producers Melting Pot said they spent years developing the adaptation carefully.
Melting Pot said in a statement: "From the moment we encountered [the story], we recognised its extraordinary emotional power. Bringing Dex and Em to the West End stage is the culmination of years of delicate development to ensure the soul of the book remains intact while finding a new voice through music."
Star Director and Folk-Pop Songwriters Lead the Creative Team
Max Webster directs the show. He is nominated for both Tony and Olivier Awards. His recent hits include a Macbeth starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, and The Importance of Being Earnest starring Ncuti Gatwa. Music and lyrics come from Abner and Amanda Ramirez, the duo behind folk-pop band JOHNNYSWIM, marking their first major step into musical theatre, Theatre News reported.
David Greig wrote the book for the show. He previously adapted Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Touching the Void, and The Lorax for the stage. He also served as Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum, which makes his involvement a natural fit, The Stage noted. Jeremy Sams contributed additional material.
Full Creative Team Rounds Out a High-Profile Production
Beyond the headline names, the production has a strong support team. Rae Smith designed the set and costumes. Bruno Poet handles lighting and Simon Baker manages sound. Nigel Lilley serves as musical supervisor, musical director, and co-arranger alongside Simon Hale as orchestrator and co-arranger. Stuart Burt CDG is the casting director, with full casting still to be announced, Theatre Weekly confirmed.
Choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille also joins the team. The Garrick Theatre holds around 700 seats, making it an intimate house well suited to a two-person love story. That limited capacity is likely to drive strong early demand once general sale opens on 18 June at 10am.
A Novel That Has Already Conquered Film and Streaming
David Nicholls published One Day in 2009. It sold over five million copies worldwide. A film starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess followed in 2011. Then in February 2024, Netflix released a limited series starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. That show became a global top-10 hit and reignited widespread interest in the story, Timeout noted.
The musical arrives on that wave of renewed attention. Author David Nicholls has said the show captures the "bittersweet velocity of life." Performances begin 17 November 2026 at the Garrick. Tickets go on general sale 18 June 2026 at 10am, with Theatre News reporting that full casting details are still to come.
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