THE Donmar Warehouse is proud to announce that the revival of Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Weidman's Pacific Overtures has proved so popular that its run is to be extended until September 6.

Sondheim and Weidman's musical is set in Nippon, a small remote island 'floating in the middle of the sea'. In 1853, an American expedition, led by Commodore Matthew Perry, changed this ancient kingdom's way of life forever. The events are told through the friendship of a samurai and a fisherman as they struggle with Western and traditional influences.

Pacific Overtures is a glorious theatrical fusion of Japanese Kabuki, Noh theatre and the musical styles of the West.

It features one of Sondheim's best scores. It is a co-production between Donmar Warehouse and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

In this first time collaboration, Gary Griffin directs his acclaimed US production in a new in-the-round staging for the Donmar . The cast, reflecting the nature of this partnership, is a combination of three of the original Chicago cast and seven of this country's finest musical theatre actors.

Pacific Overtures is the fifth Sondheim production at the Donmar Warehouse, following the success of award-winning productions; Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods, Company , and Assassins.

Mr Griffin, an experienced director of musicals, has directed Sondheim's work before, including Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins and Putting It Together . His other work includes Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and West Side Story.