Jesse Tyler Ferguson is crossing the Atlantic again, and he is bringing one of literature’s most notorious socialites with him. The actor will reprise his critically acclaimed turn as Truman Capote in Jay Presson Allen’s solo play Tru. The production is officially heading to London’s Menier Chocolate Factory this fall.
Directed by Rob Ashford, this transfer capitalizes on a highly successful New York staging held earlier this year at the House of the Redeemer’s Library. The show strips away the glamour to reveal Capote in December 1975. He is completely isolated, spiraling in crisis after publishing an unfinished memoir that alienated him from his elite, wealthy inner circle. It is a sharp, unvarnished look at the author entirely through his own words.
Key Details
- Previews kick off September 19, 2026, with an official opening slated for September 27.
- The limited engagement wraps up on November 14.
- The project originally began as a one-night charity reading directed by Ashford in Tangier back in the summer of 2024.
Ferguson is building serious momentum in the UK theater scene right now. He recently wrapped a stint in the National Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s final work, Here We Are. And he isn’t taking a break. He is currently playing King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium. Bringing Capote to the Menier feels like a natural escalation of his London footprint.
But stepping into Tru carries its own specific theatrical weight. The role of Truman Capote in this exact play was originated in 1989 by Robert Morse. That legendary 1989 premiere earned Morse a Tony Award for his stage performance, followed by an Emmy Award when it was adapted for television. Ferguson is now putting his own spin on a character that comes with a heavy trophy history.
The intimacy of the Menier Chocolate Factory makes it an ideal fit for a solo show of this caliber. Audiences are going to get an up-close look at Capote’s unraveling. Ferguson has already proven he can handle the author’s biting wit and deep vulnerability, and London theatergoers are next in line to see it.