Boys From The Blackstuff

Boys From The Blackstuff photos

Boys From The Blackstuff description

The year was 1980, millions of us were out of work and everyone, everywhere knew the catchphrase “Gi's a job”. Forty four years later Alan Bleasdale's legendary Boys from the Blackstuff is transferring to the West End in a brilliant stage version of the TV series.

This is James Graham's WhatsOnStage Award-nominated adaptation of the series, directed by Kate Wasserberg. After a run on stage at the Liverpool's Royal Court and the National's Olivier Theatre it transfers to the West End's Garrick Theatre for a strictly limited eight week season. Expect the darkest of gallows humour and a hilarious yet touching experience.

A warm, funny, tragic exploration of being unemployed

Described by the British Film Institute as a warm, humorous but ultimately tragic look at the way economics affects ordinary people, the show is set in the Thatcher era to give us a vivid picture of the end of male British working class culture.

Alan Bleasdale's work helped inspire James Graham to become a writer. Working with Bleasdale was the biggest treat of his life. When passion like that meets a plot this good and characters this strong, magic happens. Blackstuff is also super-relevant to the economic crisis we're in at the moment, adding extra realism to its hard hitting appeal.

An impressive cast and creative team

The cast comprises Aron Julius (Death on the Nile, Death in Paradise, DCI Banks) as Loggo, Nathan McMullen (Doctor Who Christmas Special, Misfits, Wagatha Christie: Rooney v Vardy) as Chrissie, Barry Sloane (The Bay, Litvinenko, Revenge, Hollyoaks, Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem) as the infamous Yosser Hughes and Mark Womack (The Responder, Emmerdale, Hillsborough, Sorted, Murphy's Law, Liverpool 1) as Dixie.

George Caple (Doctor Who, member of the Liverpool Everyman Rep company) plays Snowy, Kevin and Scotty, and Dominic Carter (Coronation Street, Game of Thrones, The Responder, Around the World in 80 Days, Crossfire) plays Molloy, Marley, Landlord, Catholic Priest and Policeman.

Helen Carter (The Flint Street Nativity, Top Girls) takes roles as Miss Sutcliffe, Freda and Margaret. Lauren O'Neil (Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall, This House, King Lear, Women Beware Women) plays Angie, Jean, Lawton, Student and Lollipop Lady. Jamie Peacock (Masquerade) plays Moss and the Anglican Reverend. The ensemble is Liam Tobin (Then and Now, member of the Liverpool Everyman Rep company).

Bill Kenwright Limited is the producer, with set and costume design by Amy Jane Cook, lighting design by Ian Scott, and movement direction by Rachael Nanyonjo. The original music comes from Dyfan Jones, who also designed the sound, and associate sound design is by Kate Harvey. Audio visual design comes from Jamie Jenkin and the fight direction from Rachel Bown-Williams of RC Annie Ltd.

Playing at Garrick Theatre

2 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0HH GB (venue info)

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