IMELDA Staunton is to star as the indomitable Momma Rose in the West End transfer of Jonathan Kent’s five-star sell-out Chichester Festival Theatre production of Gypsy, the first to be seen in London for 40 years.

This strictly limited season opens at the Savoy Theatre on April 15 with previews from March 28 (7.30pm). Further casting will be announced shortly.

Gypsy, a musical fable with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, has choreography by Stephen Mear, designs by Anthony Ward, musical direction and orchestration by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Paul Groothuis.

Gypsy is produced in the West End by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

It is considered by many to be the greatest of the Broadway musicals. It tells the true story of ambitious showbiz mother Momma Rose, who treks across America with her daughters Baby June and Louise in search of success with their homespun vaudeville act.

As times change, Momma Rose is forced to accept the demise of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque, as well as her daughters’ quest for autonomy.

Gypsy reunites actor Imelda Staunton and director Jonathan Kent who previously collaborated on the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Sweeney Todd, which, after a sell-out run there, transferred to the West End.

Kent also directed Staunton in Good People for Hampstead Theatre, which similarly transferred to the West End after a sell-out season in Hampstead.