Michelle Collins joins cast of new Park Theatre comedy

The full cast has been announced for new comedy My Dad's Gap Year at London's Park Theatre, led by Michelle Collins.

Photo: Michael Wharley

Running from 30 January to 23 February, the play by Tom Wright follows the journeys of three characters. Dave, played by Adam Lannon, and his 18-year-old gay son William, played by Alex Britt, both find romance on an adventure to Thailand.

Collins, best known from EastEnders and Coronation Street, will play William's mum who embarks on her own journey of self-discovery after becoming newly single.

They are joined in the cast by Max Percy and the previously announced Victoria Gigante. The production is directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair, with set and costume design by Sarah Beaton, lighting by Derek Anderson and sound by Benjamin Winter.

The production will be accompanied by a full supporting programme and outreach activity. Two post-show talks will take place each week during the run, covering a range of related topics. Three LGBTQ+ writers – Benjamin Salmon, Temi Wikey and Kamal Kaan – have been selected to further develop their work with support and guidance from Wright and there will be a series of engagement workshops for young people from the LGBTQ+ community to create new work. Participants will also be given the chance to see the production free of charge.

My Dad’s Gap Year is described as "a wickedly funny and heartfelt story based on true events. With gay love, straight love, trans love, buddy love and father/son love at its core, it’s a dizzying drama of drinking games, beer bellies, newfound freedom and midlife madness."

Wright's previous works include Rebel Song, adapted from Jamie O’Neill’s novel At Swim, Two Boys, and I Ain’t Dumb which premiered at Theatre Royal Stratford East in London.

My Dad’s Gap Year, which is having its world premiere at Park, is presented by Alexandra Da Silva and Neil Eckersley in association with MC Productions. It will run from 30 January - 23 February 2019.

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