Regional UK Theatre looking forward 2018

NST Studio Theatre City

Mark Ludmon examines the year ahead for regional theatre in 2018. Bolton girl Maxine Peake has made her mark on TV and the London stage but she returns to her roots with her second play, Queens of the Coal Age. Based on the true story of four women in Lancashire during the miners’ strike in the 1980s, it will be at the Royal Exchange in Manchester from 28 June to 21 July. Also at the Royal Exchange, Maxine Peake will star in Sarah Frankcom’s new production of Beckett’s Happy Days from 25 May to 23 June. Other highlights coming up at the Royal Exchange include Julie Hesmondhalgh in Kendall Feaver’s new play The Almighty Sometimes and April De Angelis’s new adaptation of Frankenstein. A new production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard directed by Michael Boyd, the former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, will come to the Royal Exchange … Read more

REVIEW: Unfaithful, Found111 ✭✭✭

Book tickets for Unfaithful at Found111

For such an explosive opening, the surprisingly muted ending of Unfaithful leaves its audience unsatisfied and full of questions. Whilst commendable for Cusack and Campion’s performances, the play itself feels underdeveloped, breaking no new ground in terms of story.

FIRST LOOK: Unfaithful Rehearsal Images

Unfaithful at Found 111

Found111 has found another hit show to follow the acclaimed, sold out performances of The Dazzle. The venue will host the London premiere of Owen McCafferty’s blackly comic play Unfaithful, which stars Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter film series, The Syndicate), Niamh Cusack (Heartbeat, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time), Sean Campion (The Borgias, Stones in his Pockets), and Ruta Gedmintas (The Strain, The Tudors). Tom is enjoying a quiet pint after work. Tara lies awake whilst her boyfriend finishes his shift. When their paths cross, a chain of events is sparked that reveal the unspoken desires and regrets of two relationships on the brink. Unfaithful questions what it means to be lovers, partners and people. Unfaithful is directed by Adam Penfold. The play runs from 25 August – 8 October 2016. BOOK NOW FOR UNFAITHFUL AT FOUND 111 Photos: Marc Brenner

Hughes, Head and Cusack Star in New Play Ticking

Ticking at Traflagar Studios

BAFTA nominated writer and director Paul Andrew Williams makes his theatrical debut with his play Ticking which will open at the Trafalgar Studios for a five week run on October 6th, 2015. The play follows Simon (Tom Hughes), a young British man who is awaiting execution in a Chinese prison cell after being convicted of the murder of a local prostitute. It’s his final visiting hour and his parents (Anthony Head and Niamh Cusack) are due to arrive. He’s a bag of nervous energy and his lawyer (David Michaels) still hasn’t got any news on his appeal. Even the British Prime Minister is calling for a pardon. As Simon and his parents wait breathlessly to see if his appeal will be successful, Simon must decide whether to confront the past with his father and expose a deeply hidden secret, or leave it buried and say his goodbyes. The cast of … Read more