The UK premiere of Dear Jack, Dear Louise will open at Arcola Theatre this spring.
Written by Tony and two‑time Olivier Award‑winning playwright Ken Ludwig, the production is inspired by the real-life love letters exchanged between his parents during the Second World War.
The play follows the touching and humorous story of Jack, a military doctor and US Army Captain stationed in Oregon, and Louise, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York.
 
 
 
 
Separated by 3,000 miles, their relationship grows entirely through handwritten letters that evolve from a single note into hundreds.
The production stars Preston Nyman as Jack, best known for his work on Mufasa: The Lion Kingand Eva Feiler as Louise, recognised for her role in The Crown.
It is directed by Simon Reade, former Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic and former Literary Manager of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Reade said: “Ken has written a love letter to his parents that is quite simply a marvel in our age of texting and social media interactions. This outstanding play takes the most intimate and personal and makes it epic by staging it against the jackboot march of world history. And all, dazzlingly, as classic comedy. It’s the best kind of comedy because it is rooted in something profound and deadly serious. Which is why Ken is the doyen of dramatists, as well as the most generous.”
Dear Jack, Dear Louise will run in Studio 1 at Arcola Theatre from 2 April to 2 May 2026, with performances at 7pm Monday to Saturday and Saturday matinees at 3.30pm.
Press night is scheduled for Thursday 9 April.
 
 
 
 
Tickets are priced £12 to £39 and are available via the Arcola Theatre website.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
