The Kinks Musical to Open in London in 2014

A musical based on the early life of Ray Davies of the Kinks and the band’s 1960s career is set to open next year in London.

“Sunny Afternoon” will be staged at Hampstead Theatre next year and has been scripted by Joe Penhall. BBC News reports that cast details have not yet been announced. The play premiered at the Theatre Royal in Stratford, east London back in 2008 and was supposed to tour a year later, but failed to.

Earlier this year Ray Davies has said that he is in negotiations with brother Dave Davies over a potential Kinks reunion, but stressed that he is only interested in pursuing the venture if they make new music together.

The pair, who have an acrimonious relationship and have not played together since 1996, both made comments about the possibility of seeing the Kinks back onstage in the near future. In September Dave Davies stated that there was a 50/50 chance of a reunion, something verified by Ray Davies on BBC Breakfast the following month.

“I’m not sure. There’s got to be new music involved. I’m proud of that back catalogue and I play it when I do shows,” Davies told hosts Charlie Stayt and Louise Minchin. He adds: “I was talking to my brother about two weeks ago. As long as there’s something new to go forward with rather than stay in the past, I’m interested. We’ve negotiated. In sporting terms, he’s talking to his agent.”