This spring Stephen Unwin will direct a major revival of Peter Nichols’s A Day in the Death of Joe Egg with a cast led by accomplished comedy actor, Royle Family star Ralf Little.
The co-production premieres at the Liverpool Playhouse from Friday 5 to Saturday 27 April 5 to 27 before opening for a run at the Rose Theatre Kingston.
Ralf Little has been a well-known figure in British comedy for more than a decade and is well known for his roles in The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and most recently The Café, which he co-wrote. His film credits include Michael Winterbottom’s 24 Hour Party People and Telstar.
He made his stage debut in 2002 in Love on the Dole at the National Theatre and was nominated for an Olivier Award for his role in Notes on Falling Leaves at the Royal Court. His last stage appearance was in 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover at the Bush Theatre in 2008.
Peter Nichols’s fast-paced black comedy A Day in the Death of Joe Egg portrays the love and pain, the anger and strain of a young couple raising a disabled child, and is regarded as one of the great plays of modern British theatre.
Nichols is amongst Britain’s most popular playwrights and in addition to A Day in the Death of Joe Egg his many successes include The National Health (1969), Privates on Parade (1977), Born in the Gardens (1970) and Passion Play (1981).
Award-winning director Stephen Unwin founded English Touring Theatre and has been artistic director at the Rose since 2008.
Ralf Little will play Bri, a school teacher who is struggling to cope with the demands of his life. His wife, Sheila, will be played by Rebecca Johnson and their daughter, Joe, will be played by Jessica Bastick-Vines, whose credits include the original West End cast of Billy Elliot.
The cast also features Marjorie Yates, best known for her role as Carol Fisher in Channel 4’s Shameless, Sally Tatum and Owen Oakeshott. For tickets call the box office on 0151 709 4776, or visit the website: www.everymanplayhouse.com.
MADE UP 